Man Utd Stand Alone: How They Became the Last 'Big Six' Survivor in Carabao Cup's Second Round

Manchester United face the unusual situation of having to earn their place in the third round of this year's Carabao Cup.

The Red Devils, who have claimed the trophy six times with their most recent triumph coming in 2023, will begin the 2025–26 campaign of England's second-tier cup tournament in the second round for the first time in more than ten years.

Ruben Amorim's squad are waiting to learn who their initial adversaries will be in this season's Carabao Cup, with the Portuguese manager probably seeing the tournament as his most promising path to securing his first trophy at Old Trafford.

But what has led to the Red Devils starting in the second round this time around?

Why Are Man Utd in Carabao Cup Second Round?

Man Utd will begin their Carabao Cup campaign in the second round this season due to their failure to secure European qualification last campaign. Premier League teams participating in continental competitions enter the tournament at the third round level, while top-flight clubs without European involvement must participate in second round matches.

Man Utd's disappointing 15th-place Premier League campaign and their failure to capture the Europa League trophy last season has left them without European football for the first time since 2014–15, and they will discover their second round Carabao Cup adversaries after the draw takes place on Wednesday, August 13.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all participating in the Champions League and will enter the Carabao Cup at the third round stage, alongside Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace—with the first two clubs featuring in the Europa League and the latter in the Conference League.

The Red Devils have painful recollections of their previous second round encounter, suffering one of their most humiliating defeats in EFL Cup history. Louis van Gaal's team were demolished 4–0 by MK Dons, who were playing in League One during that period.

Who Could Man Utd Play in the Second Round?

The Carabao Cup is currently divided into northern and southern regions during the initial rounds, which means Man Utd can only meet one of the other 23 clubs that comprise the northern division. This includes any Premier League teams who fall within the same geographical area of the draw.