OXFORD United are celebrating after landing a plum tie at home to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions are due to visit for the third round tie in the week commencing September 24.
It is 16 years since the U’s have reached the last-32 stage, but the prospect of taking on City’s stars – who won the cup last season – means it should be worth the wait.
We begin our Carabao Cup defence away at @OUFCOfficial! 💪 #mancity pic.twitter.com/4Y1UJ6w25y
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 30, 2018
U’s head coach Karl Robinson, whose MK Dons side beat Manchester United 4-0 in the competition four years ago, believes it will be a memorable occasion for everyone.
“It’s great for the club, an unbelievable draw for the fans,” he said.
“They’re the champions of England and one of the greatest sides in Europe.
“If you look at the team Pep Guardiola put out against Wigan, who were in League One, last year in the FA Cup it was enormously strong.
“We know we will be up against one of the most talented teams in the world, but we will conduct ourselves in the right way.
“The pitch will be immaculate and the fans will be outstanding.”
City lost the game at Wigan 1-0 and this tie is likely to be a strong candidate to be chosen as a televised game, while United should expect to sell-out at the Kassam Stadium.
Man City in the Cup
— Wayne Brown (@WayneBrown53) August 30, 2018
Mitch, Easty, Shears, Jack, Manny and Niall...you are all playing in goal...at the same time.#oufc #mcfc
They have not faced City since March 1998, when they won 2-0 at Maine Road in the First Division.
United reached the last-32 by beating Coventry City 2-0 at home in the first round, before a 3-0 success at Newport County on Tuesday.
CARABAO CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW
West Brom v Crystal Palace, Arsenal v Brentford, Burton Albion v Burnley, Wycombe v Norwich, Oxford Utd v Manchester City, West Ham v Macclesfield, Millwall v Fulham, Liverpool v Chelsea, Bournemouth v Blackburn, Preston v Middlesbrough, Wolves v Leicester, Tottenham v Watford, Blackpool v QPR, Everton v Southampton, Man Utd v Derby, Nottingham Forest v Stoke.
*ties to be played w/c September 24.
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