United celebrate against Colchester.

Old Trafford hits League Cup century

Tuesday 07 January 2020 09:23

Manchester United's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against neighbours City tonight (Tuesday) is a landmark fixture for the Reds.

The 20:00 GMT kick-off is our 100th game in the competition to be played at Old Trafford and is arguably one of the biggest as the two local rivals do battle for the chance of a place in the final.

It started in 1960 with Exeter City's visit, and a 4-1 win over the Grecians, following a 1-1 draw in the away leg.

United have won 74 per cent of the ties, and scored 208 goals in the process, conceding 82, with 52 different opponents lining up at the Theatre of Dreams.

Middlesbrough are our most frequent visitors (six times) and the biggest win came against another North-East side in Newcastle United (7-2 in October 1976, with Gordon Hill grabbing a hat-trick).

Our leading marksman in these games is Brian McClair, who netted 13 times, including a treble in the 5-0 beating of Rotherham United in 1988.

The largest attendance came against City - in a thrilling semi-final second leg on 27 January 2010, when Wayne Rooney's late header eliminated the Blues and set up victory at Wembley over Aston Villa.

It is worth pointing out that the game with Bury on 18 November 1987 was played at Old Trafford but was technically classified as an away tie, with the match programme actually produced by the Shakers. United won 2-1 with goals from Norman Whiteside and McClair.

Old Trafford has also staged two League Cup final replays - in 1977, when Aston Villa beat Everton, and 1978, when Nottingham Forest defeated Liverpool.

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