Carabao Cup semi-final draw - LIVE!
A place at Wembley is within touching distance for the four clubs still in the Carabao Cup. The semi-final fixtures were determined tonight, with it possible that the final could be a north London derby.
Arsenal booked their spot in the last-four with an eventful win over Crystal Palace, as Gabriel Jesus returned to goalscoring form a with second-half hat-trick. The Gunners will take on Newcastle in the semi-finals, with Eddie Howe’s side still in the hunt to reach their second Carabao Cup final in three years.
Liverpool, meanwhile, continued their sensational season under Arne Slot by easing past managerless Southampton. They will travel to Tottenham in the first leg of their semi-final tie, with the reverse fixture at Anfield. Spurs kept their trophy bid alive in dramatic fashion. They held a three-goal lead over United but still had to survive a major late scare before sealing a 4-3 win.
Carabao Cup semi-final draw
- Semi-final fixtures confirmed
- When will ties be played?
Thanks for following!
00:59 , Matt VerriTottenham will face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, while Arsenal have been drawn against Newcastle.
After outlasting Manchester United in a seven-goal thriller in the last eight on Thursday night, Spurs will now be at home for the first game in a two-legged tie against the current Premier League leaders in the second week of January, then travelling to Anfield for the return fixture in early February.
Holders Liverpool booked their own latest semi-final spot by holding on to beat struggling Southampton 2-1 after a scare at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, seeking to secure their fifth Wembley trip in the last three years.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will at home for their first leg against Newcastle before travelling to St James’ Park for the decider.
Arteta: Carabao Cup can give Arsenal momentum
23:35 , Matt VerriMikel Arteta believes winning the Carabao Cup could be the springboard for Arsenal to win bigger prizes in the months and years ahead.
He said: “The fact that you are winning and you get into the next round and it creates something different around the team, and that is why these kind of games are so important.
“It is really helpful. It brings belief, trust, positive energy, touching the cup, and being in the semi-final and beating somebody in the final; it is that energy and it creates the right path to go and do something else.
“Particularly because of the timing and when the competition is played in this country, it gets that momentum going.”
Postecoglou makes trophy vow
23:09 , Matt VerriReminder of what Ange Postecoglou said earlier this season.
The Spurs boss commented: “I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed.
“It's amazing, isn't it? I just stated a fact. Am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened?
"But do you really think it's me sort of boasting?
"It's just confusing to me that people are making a big deal out of something. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer something that is true.”
Familiar foes...
22:57 , Matt VerriIt’s a few weeks until Tottenham and Liverpool meet in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but they will go head-to-head before then.
The two sides will face off in north London this weekend in the Premier League - 4:30pm kick-off on Sunday.
Chance for either of them to lay down a marker.
Tough test for Gunners
22:50 , Matt VerriArsenal will need to make the most of that first leg in north London against Newcastle.
The reverse fixture is not going to be easy at all, as Mikel Arteta will be fully aware of.
Arsenal were beaten at St James’ Park earlier this season, when Alexander Isak’s goal was the only one of the match.
Could be a special final...
22:47 , Matt VerriLiverpool will be favourites to get through their semi-final tie against Liverpool, but you’d imagine Spurs will go all in on the Carabao Cup.
Might not be the case for Liverpool, as they challenge on all fronts.
Should Spurs get through that tie and Arsenal beat Newcastle, it will be the small matter of a north London derby in the final...
Reminder that the first legs are on the week commencing January 6, with the reverse fixtures on the week of February 3.
Arsenal vs Newcastle
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Tottenham vs Liverpool
22:43 , Matt VerriArne Slot’s side will be at Anfield for the second leg
Arsenal vs Newcastle
22:42 , Matt VerriGunners at home in the first leg...
Here we go!
22:42 , Matt VerriJamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp are in place.
Time for the draw.
Ball numbers
22:40 , Matt VerriA reminder of the numbers you’re looking out for. Not too many to remember.
1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Newcastle United
4. Tottenham
Postecoglou loving life
22:38 , Matt VerriThe draw is next up in the next few minutes, I promise.
While you wait, here is Ange Postecoglou basically having no cares in the world as he’s asked about his side very nearly throwing away a three-goals lead.
Lots of fun and place in the semi-final... all that matters to him.
"Are you not entertained? I know the studio is probably going in a meltdown over my lack of tactics" 😅
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024
Ange Postecoglou reacts after a Carabao Cup classic against Man United 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/cnR8aOXHw7
Liverpool looking to go back-to-back
22:35 , Matt VerriLiverpool are of course the defending champions in the Carabao Cup.
They beat Chelsea in last season’s final, thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s header late in extra-time.
On current form, they are probably the team to beat.
Draw coming up next!
22:31 , Matt VerriAnge Postecoglou has just given his pre-match interview.
“Are you not entertained?” is basically the message. Fair enough.
Draw will be coming up in the next couple of minutes - don’t go anywhere!
Newcastle back at Wembley?
22:28 , Matt VerriNewcastle are eyeing a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons.
They were beaten by Manchester United in 2023, and will be desperate to get another shot at finally securing some silverware.
Eddie Howe’s side cruised to a 3-1 win over Brentford in the quarter-finals.
Might be the underdogs of the four left in the competition, but nobody will fancy a trip to St James’ Park.
.@brunoog97 🤝 @fabianschaer pic.twitter.com/QbqNu9DDwS
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 19, 2024
Liverpool charging on all fronts!
22:24 , Matt VerriIt’s been a dream start to life under Arne Slot for Liverpool.
Top of the Premier League, perfect record in the Champions League and through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
They eased to victory over Southampton last night.
North London derby?
22:19 , Matt VerriEvery chance we get Arsenal up against Tottenham in this draw.
The north London rivals will face off at the Emirates in the Premier League on January 15, and their could be two more meetings around that.
That’s what the neutrals will want...
Chaos in north London!
22:15 , Matt VerriTottenham are in the semi-finals but it was ridiculously nervy in the end.
They were 3-0 up after 54 minutes, before Fraser Forster made two huge mistakes to gift Man United a way back into the match.
To some up the chaos, Heung-min Son then scored directly from a corner.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024
Son scores straight from the corner! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KDhNXNL7cp
When will semi-final ties be played?
22:09 , Matt VerriBoth semi-finals will be played across two legs.
The first will be played across the week commencing Monday January 6, 2025, with the second legs coming on the week commencing Monday February 3.
Carabao Cup draw ball numbers
22:03 , Matt VerriThe ball numbers for the Carabao Cup semi-final draw have been confirmed and are as follows:
1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Newcastle United
4. Tottenham
FT: Tottenham 4-3 Man United
21:58 , Matt VerriOn we go...
Bergvall into the book for hacking down Mainoo.
Dragusin volleys the ball away and that is full-time! Spurs survive... just.
Tottenham 4-3 Man United
21:56 , Matt Verri90+6 mins: Absurd that it has come to this for Spurs!
Fernandes with the low cross, Forster stops it going behind for a corner. That really would have been panic stations.
GOAL! Tottenham 4-3 Man United | Jonny Evans 90+4'
21:54 , Matt VerriSurely not...
Corner swung in to the near post, Evans’ flicked header flies in!
Tottenham 4-2 Man United
21:53 , Matt Verri90+2 mins: At long last, Spurs are just winding the clock down.
No more playing out from the back, Forster content to boot the ball long from goal-kicks. Spurs fans delighted.
Tottenham 4-2 Man United
21:51 , Matt Verri90 mins: Bayindir insisting he was fouled. No VAR coming to his rescue and he’s booked for his protests.
Two Spurs changes. Reguilon on for a very rare appearance, replacing Spence. Johnson also on in place of Solanke.
Six minutes added on.
GOAL! Tottenham 4-2 Man United | Heung-min Son 88'
21:48 , Matt VerriThat helps Spurs. Yoro has to slide in and he can only turn it behind for a corner.
Son taking his sweet time walking over to take this, Martinez jogs across to tell him to hurry up. Doesn’t work.
CORNER GOES STRAIGHT IN!
Son has whipped the corner over Bayindir and into far corner!
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:46 , Matt Verri86 mins: Garnacho fouls Porro off the ball and that eases the pressure a bit.
Spurs are limping their way towards the final whistle. Not convincing at all but the clock is on their side.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:43 , Matt Verri83 mins: Amad getting a shot away at every possible opportunity.
Fair to say he’s had a look at what Forster is doing and fancies his chances.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:41 , Matt Verri81 mins: Kulusevski calls for more noise from the home fans. Don’t think that’s the problem right now...
Bissouma with a terrible pass and here come United again.
Garnacho turns Porro, but he gets back well to intercept the pass to Dalot.
Amad fires a strike in from 25 yards out, Forster kicks it away! Didn’t move his body at all, just booted it. Madness.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:39 , Matt Verri79 mins: Maddison’s last act is to commit and foul and get a yellow card. He too will now be suspended if Spurs get through.
Bergvall is on to replace him for the final 15 minutes or so.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:38 , Matt Verri78 mins: Amad skips to the byline, his cut-back is turned behind for a corner. Constant United pressure now.
Spurs clear the corner but the red shirts are coming straight back at them. Not a whole lot for Postecoglou to turn to on the bench.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:36 , Matt Verri76 mins: Amad full of confidence, tries his luck from 25 yards out. High and wide of the far corner.
Goal-kick isn’t a bad thing for United, because Forster keeps playing it short.
Forget asking for trouble, he’s screaming for it.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:34 , Matt Verri74 mins: Should be 3-3!
Fernandes slides in Mazraoui, who opts not to go for goal initially.
Cuts back onto his left foot, and fires wide. Massive chance.
Tottenham 3-2 Man United
21:32 , Matt Verri72 mins: Garnacho on for United, replacing Ugarte. Fernandes drops deeper into midfield.
Tottenham have 20 minutes to hang on and they are a nervous wreck at the back.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:31 , Matt VerriForster has largely been outstanding since coming into the team but the concern was always his footwork rather than shot stopping.
Those worries very much being realised tonight and Spurs now fighting to avoid (another) big collapse.
Dom Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:31 , Matt VerriTwo Fraser Forster howlers in seven minutes. Tottenham go from 3-0 up and cruising to 3-2.
Ange Postecoglou very, very slowly turns to his coaching staff and just places his head in his hands. Getting hairy.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-2 Man United | Amad Diallo 70'
21:30 , Matt VerriINCREDIBLE!
Forster... what are you doing?!
He takes an absolute age to clear the ball as it’s passed back to him, and Amad slides in to charge down the clearance, into the empty net!
Tottenham 3-1 Man United
21:28 , Matt Verri68 mins: Zirkzee plays the ball into the six-yard box, Bissouma should just clear it but he instead cushions a pass... very nearly into his own net! Bobbles just wide.
Amad from the resulting corner has a deflected strike sent wide behind for another corner. Spurs struggling.
Kulusevski wins a cheap free-kick from that one, hosts can breathe.
Tottenham 3-1 Man United
21:26 , Matt Verri66 mins: It’s not going to take much for this to get very, very nervy for Tottenham.
Amad has a run at Gray, but Spence gets back to help his team-mates out. Solanke tries to counter but United win in straight back - feel of the match has completely changed.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:24 , Matt VerriTwo sides of Forster on show there: a brilliant one-handed save to keep out Zirkzee's effort before a miscued pass allowed Fernandes to intercept and square for the striker.
Hope for United, who will sense that Spurs are a club prone to historic collapses.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-1 Man United | Joshua Zirkzee 63'
21:23 , Matt VerriWELL THEN!
Just ridiculous from Tottenham. Forster with a terrible pass in his own box, Fernandes beats Dragusin to it.
Rolls it into Zirkzee’s path and he has a tap in.
Dom Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:23 , Matt VerriSprawling, clawing save by Forster. What a reach that is.
Tottenham 3-0 Man United
21:22 , Matt Verri62 mins: Spurs making things a bit more difficult for themselves then it needs to be, caught at the back.
Leads to Dalot swinging a cross in, Zirkzee is free and he forces Forster into a great save. He was at full stretch to turn that away.
Tottenham 3-0 Man United
21:20 , Matt Verri60 mins: United have no answer to Kulusevski when he runs at them.
Actually, they’ve found one there. Dragged to the ground near enough by his neck. Might be their best bet.
Solanke, meanwhile, shrugs off Martinez yet again. A total mismatch.
Tottenham 3-0 Man United
21:18 , Matt Verri58 mins: Kulusevski skips away from two changes, before Martinez comes across and concedes the corner. United have been a shambles since half-time.
It will be Kulusevski to take this, swung in on top of the goalkeeper and Bayindir claims.
Tottenham 3-0 Man United
21:16 , Matt Verri56 mins: Here are those three United changes.
Amad, Zirkzee and Mainoo introduced, as Antony, Hojlund and Eriksen make way.
United need something very, very special now.
Dom Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:15 , Matt VerriA monumental punch of the air from Postecoglou as Tottenham go 3-0 up on Manchester United.
Zirkzee, Diallo and Mainoo were preparing to come on. They look at each other, stunned.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-0 Man United | Dominic Solanke 54'
21:14 , Matt VerriGAME OVER?
Long ball over the top and Solanke is in. He works it onto his right foot, nobody gets close to him in the box and the striker drills it low into the bottom corner.
Tottenham 2-0 Man United
21:13 , Matt Verri52 mins: Spurs are completely on top now, passing the ball around without any real pressure on them.
If Amorim does care about this competition, Amad will have to come on soon.
Tottenham 2-0 Man United
21:09 , Matt Verri49 mins: United have barely had a kick since half-time.
Whatever Amorim asked for during those 15 minutes, I’m going to assume it’s not happening.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:08 , Matt VerriIt's a fourth game in a row with a goal for Kulusevski, who is really starting to add end product to his phenomenal work rate.
Dom Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:07 , Matt VerriThat was just so poor from United. Martinez threw a lazy leg at it, and there was Martinez to score just 47 seconds into the second half.
Dreamland for Postecoglou, who raises his arms in celebration as the goal goes in.
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Man United | Dejan Kulusevski 46'
21:07 , Matt VerriSOME START TO THE HALF!
Barely 45 seconds after the restart and the lead has been doubled.
Maddison gets in down the left, his low cross is cleared out only as far as Kulusevski, and he smashes in a finish from eight yards out.
Awful clearance from Martinez.
Back underway!
21:04 , Matt VerriUp and running in the second-half.
Spurs making Man United wait at the start of this half.
Visitors have been out for a fair while, waiting for the Spurs players to emerge. Passing a ball between themselves.
Amad still on the bench - surely won’t be long until he comes on.
Solanke does it again
20:53 , Matt VerriHe certainly enjoys playing against Man United.
Solanke reacted well to Porro’s strike being parried straight out, and it was a really sharp finish from the striker.
Solanke scores against Man United for the fourth game in a row! ⚪ pic.twitter.com/KvHcv3C1f4
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024
HT: Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:49 , Matt VerriHalf-time in north London.
Spurs in front thanks to that Solanke strike, as he pounced on some poor goalkeeping from Bayindir.
It’s been fairly even since then - United still in this.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:48 , Matt Verri45+2 mins: Not for the first time, Dalot gets in down the left wing and cuts it back for Eriksen.
Again his strike looks to be on target, but a Spurs defender makes the block. This time it’s Gray.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:46 , Matt Verri45 mins: Evans is indeed on, Lindelof looks devastated as he trudges off.
Two minutes of added time, but we’ll get a bit longer than that.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:45 , Matt VerriIt's interesting that United have targeted Porro with repeated diagonal balls towards the Spurs right-back.
You'd think Spurs' left side, where Gray and Spence are being screened by Maddison and Son, would be weaker but United have apparently identified Porro, who played under Amorim at Sporting CP, as a weak link.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:45 , Matt Verri44 mins: More injury problems in defence for United.
Lindelof has gone down off the ball and it looks like his night could be over. Evans getting ready to come on.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:44 , Matt Verri43 mins: Gray with a poor headed clearance, gets it wrong and the ball spins out for a United corner.
Eriksen floats it to the back post, where Spence knocks it behind for another corner.
It’s Eriksen again, this time from the other side... Lindelof wins the initial header before Martinez’s cross runs out of play.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:42 , Matt Verri41 mins: Nearly brilliant from Fernandes.
Dalot lays the ball back to him, and Fernandes stabs a cross to the back post with the outside of his right foot.
Eriksen making the run, but he can’t quite catch up with it.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:39 , Matt Verri38 mins: That long ball to Fernandes is United’s best bet, he’s getting in between Porro and Dragusin.
This time Porro scrambles across and can only loop a header up, falls for Hojlund and he drags a volley well wide.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:37 , Matt Verri36 mins: Tottenham having a good spell, pushing for a second goal.
Son on the edge of the box has space to get the shot away, but Lindelof gets across to block.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:35 , Matt Verri34 mins: Scramble on the edge of the United box, before the ball breaks free for Kulusevski.
He twists and turns before rolling the ball across the face of goal - Ugarte very nearly turns it into his own net on the stretch.
Dom Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:33 , Matt VerriSpurs' attacking patterns looking much crisper than United's at the moment. The hosts decent valuable for their lead.
Red Devils looking more than a little disjointed.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:33 , Matt Verri32 mins: Kulusevski allowed to drift inside onto his left foot, word doesn’t seem to have reached United that they might want to stop that.
Clipped ball into the box is aimed at Solanke, but Yoro gets up to head it away.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:30 , Matt Verri29 mins: A mess at the back from Spurs, Spence and Gray both nearly play themselves into trouble. Maddison has to hack the ball away on the edge of his own box.
Home fans getting a bit edgy watching that.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:29 , Matt VerriSpurs' goal and a big chance for Kulusevski both came from Maddison taking a short free-kick into Son on the left flank.
United have created more from open play and look strongest down Spurs' right, where Fernandes is finding plenty of space up against Porro.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:27 , Matt Verri26 mins: And now a yellow card at the other end. Spence pokes the ball away as Mazraoui slides in, booking for the United wing-back.
Maddison takes it short, Son works it through to Kulusevski and he forces Bayindir into a sharp save at his near post.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:25 , Matt Verri25 mins: Fernandes makes the run in behind the Spurs defence and Sarr brings him down, kicked through the Man United captain.
Yellow card for Sarr - he’ll be suspended for the first leg of the semi-final if Spurs goes through.
Eriksen goes for goal from a tough angle, but it’s over everyone and onto the roof of the net. Sure the United defenders are delighted they came up for that.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:23 , Matt Verri22 mins: Ball is cut back to Eriksen on the edge of the box, he catches the first-time shot sweetly but Bissouma is back in front of Forster to block.
There have been some encouraging signs for United in attack.
Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:22 , Matt VerriThe first strains of "We want Levy out" from the South Stand followed Spurs' goal but it is not catching on nearing as quickly as it did among the travelling supporters at Southampton on Sunday.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:21 , Matt Verri20 mins: Spurs are going in hard on Antony basically every time he has the ball. Doesn’t need much encouragement to go to the ground, though.
He’s won a couple of fouls right in front of Postecoglou that have left the Spurs boss with his face in his hands.
Tottenham 1-0 Man United
20:18 , Matt Verri17 mins: Great ball from Eriksen, Fernandes has space on the left.
He plays it low into the six-yard box, against Hojlund doesn’t react in time at the back post and it’s all the way through for a goal-kick.
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:17 , Matt VerriDodgy goalkeeping, yes, but it's a cracking finish from Solanke, hit first time on the half-volley off the inside of the post, giving the unfortunate Bayindir no chance to redeem himself.
Spurs have a lead and are looking sharp here.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Man United | Dominic Solanke 15'
20:15 , Matt VerriSPURS IN FRONT!
Porro’s shot from distance is parried straight out to Solanke, who reacts fastest to turn in the rebound.
Poor goalkeeping from Bayindir.
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:14 , Matt VerriChristian Eriksen has made quite an impactful start to this game, against his former team.
Has been anchoring things in United's midfield nicely, and looking for Hojlund beyond him at every opportunity.
The Spurs midfield must get tight to him and not allow him to exert control.
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
20:13 , Matt Verri12 mins: United starting to come into this match.
Fernandes slides a pass through to Hojlund, who briefly appears to be in on goal.
Doesn’t get the shot away in time, as Dragusin and Gray get back to sandwich him and clear the danger.
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
20:11 , Matt Verri10 mins: Eriksen pings a crossfield switch out to Dalot, and Porro has to scramble across to concede the corner. First chance for United to get bodies into the Spurs bos.
Decent ball in from Eriksen, Forster came but didn’t get there, Bissouma heads it away in front of him and Martinez then volleys over.
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
20:08 , Matt Verri7 mins: Sarr with a lovely flick through to Kulusevski, who has space to cut into.
He finds Maddison, who has Son completely free to his left... Mazraoui cuts out that pass. Son would have been clean through.
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
20:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: United are the ones trying to slow things down in the early stages. As ever, everything Spurs are doing is at high pace.
Antony again caught on the ball by Bissouma, who is already having an impact on his return to the side.
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
20:03 , Matt Verri2 mins: Bissouma crunches into Antony and Spurs can fly forward on the counter.
Kulusevski has drifted out to the left wing, low ball into the middle is just too far in front of Son.
Very nearly a huge chance for the Spurs captain.
KICK-OFF!
20:00 , Matt VerriUp and running in north London!
Very warm embrace between Amorim and Postecoglou, big hug and a lot of laughing between the two of them.
One of them is not going to be feeling quite so thrilled with life in a couple of hours...
Here we go!
19:56 , Matt VerriTeams are in the tunnel in north London, kick-off just a few minutes away.
Both these sides have endured tough recent runs, but bounced back with important wins last time out.
Confidence still not particularly high in either camp, you would imagine.
Pre-match thoughts from the Spurs boss
19:49 , Matt VerriFair to say Ange Postecoglou has no real interest in talking about trophies yet...
"Let's just win a quarter-final"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024
Ange Postecoglou speaks ahead of Tottenham's Carabao Cup tie against Manchester United 🔴 pic.twitter.com/hRcLJgqozv
Postecoglou: Rashford not in my thoughts
19:41 , Matt VerriTottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says Marcus Rashford is "not on my radar" after the forward revealed he is "ready for a new challenge" away from Manchester United.
Amorim has urged Rashford to embrace the "biggest challenge" of proving himself at United but the club are expected to listen to offers for the 27-year-old in January, with his reported £325,000-a-week wages likely to prove a major stumbling block for most potential suitors.
Postecoglou has said there is "no doubt" Spurs need reinforcements in the final third but played down interest in Rashford, pointedly saying the club would remain "disciplined" in their approach to squad building.
Asked for his thoughts on Rashford’s comments, Postecoglou replied: “[I have] no interest, I don’t care. No interest, he’s a Manchester United player.”
"If I looked at everyone we were linked to, I would have no time to do anything else to be honest," Postecoglou added, when asked about historic links with Rashford. "I have got other people to do that part of the process.
"For us, we’ve been pretty disciplined in what we’re trying to build here and we’ll continue to be so.”
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
19:34 , Matt VerriBoth sides could really do with some silverware to lift the mood, but those lineups suggest it’s even more important for Tottenham.
"Feels like this competition is a really big opportunity for both clubs to win some silverware."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 19, 2024
🗣 @MrDomSmith gives his pre-match thoughts ahead of a huge night in north London.
LIVE: https://t.co/91gFmrpKXd #TOTMUN | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/Bsx3IvbmAL
Amorim: Premier League the priority
19:27 , Matt VerriRuben Amorim has been discussing his team selection.
Five changes to the side that beat Manchester United, with Amorim making it clear that the Carabao Cup is not his big priority.
“The trophy we want to win in the future is the Premier League and that's on my mind,” he says.
Dom Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
19:21 , Matt VerriFeels like a big chance for Djed Spence to impress Ange Postecoglou, this.
The biggest match he's played in for Tottenham, after his very belated first start for the club against Southampton last time out.
Udogie and Werner not involved
19:13 , Matt VerriAs for Tottenham, Udogie misses out do Spence fills in at left-back as Porro comes back into the side.
Bissouma is back from suspension to start, as Bergvall drops to the bench.
Werner is not in the squad, and it’s a very inexperienced bench available to Postecoglou tonight.
Amorim makes changes
19:08 , Matt VerriInteresting team selection from Amorim tonight.
Bayindir comes in to replace Onana, with Yoro, Lindelof, Eriksen and Antony all starting as well.
Amad drops to the bench, despite starring against Man City, while Garnacho is back in the squad and among the substitutes.
Tottenham team news
19:02 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Forster, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Maddison, Sarr, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son
Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Reguilon, Dorrington, Hardy, Bergvall, Olusesi, Johnson, Lankshear
Man United team news
19:01 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Bayindir, Yoro, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Eriksen, Mazraoui, Antony, Fernandes, Hojlund
Subs: Onana, Evans, Maguire, Malacia, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Stage is set!
18:49 , Matt VerriJust over five minutes to go until we get all the team news from north London.
Expect both sides to be as close to full-strength as they can. Both managers could really do with success in this competition.
Semi-final draw to come tonight
18:41 , Matt VerriReminder that the draw for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup will take place immediately after this match tonight.
Both semi-finals will be played across two legs. The first will be played across the week commencing Monday January 6, 2025, with the second legs coming on the week commencing Monday February 3.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle the teams to have already booked their places in the draw.
Postecoglou offers Bergvall update
18:34 , Matt VerriAnge Postecoglou says Lucas Bergvall's development has given him another option in midfield but played down the chances of the teenager starting tonight.
Bergvall, 18, made his first Premier League start in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Southampton, with Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both suspended.
Bissouma returns to contention for United's visit to north London, with Postecoglou saying he would make a decision on his line-up on the day but wary of the toll of Bergvall's first 90 minutes in the top flight.
"It's good to have an option there," the Spurs head coach said on Wednesday. "Lucas did fantastically well the other night and he has done in the last two or three games he has played for us as he's really made an impact.
"But the other night I thought he was really good. In the first half he really showed maturity playing that role, discipline and real quality as well. It's good to have that option.
"Having Biss available is great as well. I'll make a decision tomorrow but at the same time that was Lucas' first start for quite a while and he did tire noticeably in the second half so we'll have to see how he's recovered from the game."
Amorim on 'emotional' Rashford talks
18:27 , Matt VerriRuben Amorim says he would go to the manager with an issue rather than air it in the media after Manchester United's Marcus Rashford declared he was "ready for a new challenge".
The 27-year-old academy product has scored just 15 goals in 67 appearances in the 18 months since signing a big-money deal until 2028, with speculation over his future increasing in recent days.
Rashford was surprisingly left out of the squad for Sunday's 2-1 win at Manchester City and revealed in an interview two days later that he was ready to end his 20-year association with United.
The forward, who missed training on Monday through illness, now looks set to sit out tonight having been absent from the group travelling to London.
Amorim saying he had yet to speak to Rashford by the time he faced the media yesterday.
"It's hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do (when I speak to him)," United's head coach said. "I am a little bit emotional (as a person), so in the moment I will understand what to do.
"I am preparing the game and then we will see. Let's focus on the team not individual players. That's it."
When asked if he would air his views publicly in an interview or speak to the manager privately, the former Portugal international said: "If this was me, probably I will speak with the manager.
"But, guys, let's focus on Tottenham. Tottenham is the most important thing."
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