Old Trafford Set for United’s September Carabao Cup Tie
Manchester United will host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round at Old Trafford on Wednesday 16 September, with the draw handing the Reds a confirmed domestic cup fixture for next month.
The tie was confirmed on manutd.com following Wednesday night’s draw, which came after Sky Sports’ live coverage of the second-round meeting between Preston North End and Everton, won by the Toffees.
Kick-off, broadcast and how the draw fell
That arrangement exists to stop English clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League this season being drawn against one another in the Carabao Cup’s third round. With both UEFA competitions due to begin in the weeks commencing 7 and 14 September, this round of the domestic cup is being staggered across those same two weeks so every side involved can fulfil its European commitment without a fixture clash.
Where the tie sits on the calendar
United’s meeting with Brighton falls into the week commencing 14 September because the club’s Champions League opener is pencilled in for the week before. Brighton, meanwhile, enter the Carabao Cup at this stage as potential participants in this season’s Conference League league phase, having beaten Norwegian side Tromso in the second leg of their play-off to qualify. That league phase does not begin until October, so it played no part in how this round was scheduled.
The fixture also comes after United signed midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton on Tuesday.
| Competition | Fixture | Venue | Date & Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carabao Cup, Third Round | Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion | Old Trafford | Wed 16 September, 20:00 BST (Sky Sports+) |
A draw full of standout ties
United’s tie is far from the only eye-catching pairing. Liverpool will host Tottenham Hotspur, while holders Manchester City begin the defence of their trophy at home to Norwich City, according to BBC Sport.
The rest of the third round sees Crystal Palace host Middlesbrough, Sunderland face Hull City, Ipswich Town take on Arsenal, and Coventry City welcome Aston Villa. Bournemouth meet Lincoln City, Chelsea host Leeds United, and Millwall face Newcastle United. The remaining ties are Fleetwood Town v Sheffield United, Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leyton Orient v Bradford City, Reading v Brentford, Peterborough United v Barnsley and West Ham United v Fulham.
