When is the Carabao Cup second round draw and why are Manchester United in it?

When is the Carabao Cup second round draw and why are Manchester United in it?

Man United are in the unusual position of needing to qualify for the third round of the League Cup this season.

The Carabao Cup (Image: 2023 James Gill - Danehouse)

Manchester United's Carabao Cup journey will start slightly earlier than usual this season.

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United will enter the competition at the second round stage, having previously entered the League Cup at the third round stage. Teams who are participating in Europe don't play their first Carabao Cup game of the season until the third round, and with no European football at Old Trafford this season United will have to win a second round tie to be in the hat for round three.

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Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur will all enter the competition in round three.

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United won the Carabao Cup during Erk ten Hag's first season at the club, beating Newcastle 2-0 in the final. They were then knocked out by the Magpies in round four the following season before exiting at the quarter-final stage last term with defeat at Tottenham.

They'll be hoping to go all the way this season but will have to win one more game than usual if they are to do so. The draw for the second round will take place on Wednesday, August 13. It will be made during Sky Sports' build-up to Birmingham vs Sheffield United, meaning it is likely to take place at around 7pm.

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