Charlton Athletic have been handed a plum tie against Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The third-tier strugglers were the only non-Premier League team left in Thursday’s last-eight draw after stunning top-flight Brighton on penalties at The Valley on Wednesday night following a hard-fought goalless draw, and their reward for that upset is a trip to Old Trafford in the New Year.
57 places separate top-four chasing United and Charlton - currently 18th in League One - in the Football League pyramid as things stand, with the Addicks having a new manager at the helm after appointing former Stoke assistant Dean Holden as Ben Garner’s replacement earlier this week amid a major behind-the-scenes shake-up under Thomas Sandgaard.
The two teams have not met in any competition since February 2007, when goals from Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher secured a 2-0 home Premier League win for the Red Devils. Charlton have not beaten United since 1989.
Eight-time winners Manchester City will travel to Southampton after outlasting holders Liverpool in a five-goal thriller at the Etihad as they bid for a seventh triumph in 10 years in English football’s secondary domestic cup competition, while two Premier League strugglers in Nottingham Forest and Wolves will go head to head at the City Ground, with Wolves having won their last league meeting in October.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will continue their quest for a first major domestic trophy since 1955 against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester at St James’ Park. The two teams are also due to meet in the league on Boxing Day.
Carabao Cup quarter-final draw in full
Manchester United vs Charlton
Southampton vs Manchester City
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves
Newcastle vs Leicester
The Carabao Cup quarter-final matches will take place the week beginning January 9.
