Fergie v. Bruce in League Cup Quarter-Final

Quarter-Finals
By Chris O'Brien
December 5 2005

Manchester United visit St.Andrew's in the quarter-final of the League Cup to face Steve Bruce's Birmingham City. United have reached the last eight of the Carling-backed competition following home wins over Barnet and West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United visit Birmingham City in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

The Red Devils reached the last eight of the Carling-backed competition with comfortable wins over Barnet and West Bromwich Albion and now have another Millennium Stadium final in sights. However, Steve Bruce's side will provide a tough test and supporters will be hoping that Sir Alex Ferguson takes no chances and fields his strongest possible line-up for the St.Andrew's trip.

United now face Birmingham twice in eight days with the Premiership clash taking place on December 28th. The Red Devils also face Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion during a Christmas period dominating by away trips to the Midlands!

Ticket news sees season ticket holders who have attended all home League Cup and European matches invited to make early applications. The ground seats 30,016 meaning, under the compliance of the Football League's 15% allocation for away teams, United will be entitled to 4,500 tickets for the game.

The pick of the four ties is Doncaster Rovers, League One representatives and the only non-Premiership side left in the cup, home clash against Arsenal. Wigan Athletic entertain Bolton Wanderers in a Lancashire derby whilst Middlesbrough will be aiming to emulate their 2004 Carling Cup triumph with a home win over Blackburn Rovers.

The complete draw is as follows:

Birmingham City v. Manchester United
Doncaster Rovers v. Arsenal
Middlesbrough v. Blackburn Rovers
Wigan Athletic v. Bolton Wanderers

United's trip to the West Midlands will take place on either the 20th or 21st of December.