Manchester United draw Scunthorpe United in Carling Cup 3rd Round

The Irons vs The Red Devils
Later this September

The draw for the Carling Cup third round came out today - 28/08/2010 and Manchester United have drawn North Lincolnshire, team called Scunthorpe United.

United have never faced Scunthorpe United in a competitive football game, this would be the first time they do.


The tie will take place at Scunthorpe's home in North Lancashire which is a good hour and a half drive from Old Trafford probably on 21st September, 2010.




Scunthorpe United, often nicknamed "The Irons" play in the football league championship and are currently the highest seeded team in Lincolnshire. They recently survived the season after coming 20th, luckily!


United are the defending champions in this Carling Cup season. They had a mesmerizing season last year after defeating Wolves 1-0, thanks to a memorable header by Paul Scholes, Barnsley 2-0 which saw an amazing goal scored by Michael Owen, Spurs 2-0 and a lovely semi-final encounter with local rivals Manchester City in the winter days of 2010 which saw one of the games cancelled scheduled to take place early January due to heavy snowfall! Manchester derby was incredibly memorable.

United finally lifted the Carling Cup after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 at the cursed Wembley pitch which saw Michael Owen end his World Cup career due to a hamstring injury after scoring a lovely attacking goal February 2010. This also forced him to sit out of the Pre-season US tour which was a lovely opportunity for Michael to win over some American fans!


The Carling Cup player of the final was awarded to Antonio Valencia last year, and it's a record worth noting that no player has won it twice and I fully rely on Ecuador's Valencia to duly break this record!!


Like we had a Manchester derby last year in Semi-final, this year's 3rd round presents a very interesting 3rd Round North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs! I back Spurs to win it!!
Any how, this season is back and United should aim to demolish Scunthorpe at their home..  More updates to follow once the match day and time is confirmed!


Full Draw
Brentford v Everton
Portsmouth v Leicester
Stoke v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle BIG GAME!
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Tottenham v Arsenal BIG GAME!
Millwall v Ipswich
Wolves v Notts County
Burnley v Bolton
Birmingham v MK Dons
Liverpool v Northampton Town
Scunthorpe v Manchester United
West Brom v Man City
Sunderland v West Ham
Peterborough v Swansea
Wigan v Preston


(Source: manutd.com)

Old Trafford is ready to witness an electric 2nd leg tie between the city of Manchester's bitter rivals.

Are you ready for the 2nd leg of the Carling Cup tonight? Are you ready for the best game of the year!!! Well you better be ready for that!!! This game is gonna be amazing as the two bitter rivals belonging to the same city battle to earn a place in the final of Carling Cup at the Wembley Stadium tonight.

Just a recap of what happened in the 1st leg of Carling Cup: Man City won the game 2-1. Tevez scored both the goals for City and Ryan Giggs his derby goal in ages. You can read the whole review and watch the match highlights here -> 1st leg of Carling Cup at Manchester City

Team News:

Manchester United:

Rio Ferdinand is all set to feature in his first Carling Cup of the season. He has been cautioned by the FA for allegedly putting his arm on Craig Fegan (Hull City's striker) face and stopping him from gaining the possesion last weekend. Incidently, this was his first game after recovering from thigh injury and he ended up with more trouble! Rio is seriously as some people call him a 'Bad Man'. I hope his behaviour with City is kind (esp Tevez)

I will be intrgued if Fergie plays Neville against City. Neville and Tevez both received warnings from FA regarding the passing of 'ill gestures' between the players on the occasion of the 1st leg of the Carling Cup.

I expect Fergie to play a 4-4-2 formation with Rooney and Berbatov up front.

In mid-field I expect Fletcher, Scholes, Valencia and Nani to feature. I am a bit ambigous about Nani to be honest. But I think either Nani or Giggs will play. Nani is a bit aggressive player. He can run well whereas the good old Giggsy can't. So I think Fergie might play Nani for the 1st hour and then give Giggs a go for the last half an hour.

Not to forget: United have Arsenal on 31st January! So Sir Alex Ferguson has a great responsibility of keeping his side fresh for that battle too.

Manchester City

Patrik Veira is still down with ankle injury while Robinho is fit to play tonight. But I really doubt if Robinho will play after the speculations that he's going to Sau Paulo. Although I've heard that Mancini has given his Brazilian striker full freedom to do what he wants.

Adebayor is back after his side (Togo) was disqualified from African Cup of Nations following a series of tragedies in Ghana.

With Adebayor and Tevez both playing in tomorrow's game, it could be tough (if not impossible) to stop Man City from scoring.. And of course we have the crucial Craig Bellamy who can do anything!

The game will be live on Sky Sports at 8.00 PM. I'm gearing up for it. I hope you are doing the same.

On that note I would like to say thanks for reading the post and please free to add reactions and give the post some ratings (earnest ones) and you're more than welcome to drop a comment or two :)

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.. Go battle the Blues!