Carabao Cup

2021/22 Carabao Cup: All the key info

Tuesday 24 August 2021 14:41

The starting point on Manchester United’s 2021/22 Carabao Cup journey will be pinpointed this week, when the draw for the third round of the competition takes place.

The 62nd edition of the League Cup got under way earlier in the month with this season’s second-round fixtures scheduled to take place over the coming days. 

And following those matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co will find out who our first assignment in the tournament will be against. 

So, here’s everything you need to know about this season’s competition, including when that draw takes place…

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WHEN WILL UNITED’S CAMPAIGN START? 

As one of the seven Premier League sides playing European football this season, the Reds will first go into the competition’s hat in the third round, meaning that our first kick in this season’s edition will come during the week commencing 20 September, with the round-three games to be played across that midweek.  
WHEN IS THE THIRD-ROUND DRAW? 

The draw for the third round of this season’s Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday (25 August) evening, following the final second-round tie between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal. UK-based supporters will be able to keep a close eye on proceedings, with the draw being conducted live on Sky Sports following that game at the Hawthorns. 

WHO COULD WE FACE? 

As well as the six fellow clubs involved in European football, who enter at the same stage as us, Ole’s Reds could come up against any of the 25 remaining Football League sides that advance from this week’s second-round matches. The first two rounds of the competition were regionalised, separated into northern and southern sections; however, any team will be able to draw any other remaining side from this point forward. 

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ARE THERE ANY RULE CHANGES THIS SEASON?

Yes, this season’s competition sees a few slight changes from the regulations and format of the previous campaign. If scores are level in ties after 90 minutes in the first five rounds of the competition, they will go straight to penalties, with no extra-time being played until at least the semi-final stage. 

Like in the Premier League, the number of substitutions both sides can make in a game is three, down from the five allowed last season. However, it will be three from a maximum of seven substitutes on the bench, rather than nine like it is in the Premier League. Teams will be allocated an extra sub should games in the semi-finals and beyond go to extra-time, too. 

Speaking of semi-finals, this season’s League Cup sees the return of traditional two-legged ties in the last four, as opposed to the single-leg matches played to determine the two finalists in 2020/21. 

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WHEN IS THE FINAL? 

The competition’s finale will return to its traditional early spring date this season, with it scheduled for Sunday 27 February 2022 at Wembley Stadium. As well as hoisting the trophy into the air under the famous arch in the capital, this season’s winners will also automatically guarantee a spot in the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League with victory. 

FULL 2021/22 CARABAO CUP ROUND DATES 

Round three: w/c 20 September 2021
Round four: w/c 25 October 2021
Quarter-finals: w/c 20 December 2021
Semi-final first legs: w/c 3 January 2022
Semi-final second legs: w/c 10 January 2022
Final: Sunday 27 February 2022
 

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