Manchester United have been drawn away against League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils are entering the competition at this early stage for the first time in 11 years, since 2014.
The draw, which took place on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, during the build-up to Birmingham City's Round One tie against Sheffield United, saw 11 Premier League clubs not participating in European competitions enter the fray. This includes Manchester United, Everton, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The remaining Premier League teams involved in European competitions will enter in the third round.
Manchester United, who last won the trophy in 2023, will travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town during the week commencing August 25. This marks the first time in 11 years that Man United have played in the second round of the League Cup. The last time they were in this stage, they suffered a 4-0 defeat to MK Dons.
The Carabao Cup is regionalized in the early rounds, split into a Southern and Northern Section until Round Three. Other notable Northern Section ties include Everton hosting Mansfield, and Leeds United potentially facing Sheffield Wednesday. In the Southern Section, there are two all-Premier League clashes: Bournemouth vs Brentford and Wolves vs West Ham.
Other Southern Section matchups include Fulham vs Bristol City, Norwich City vs Southampton, and Oxford United vs Brighton & Hove Albion. League Two side Bromley, who upset Ipswich in the first round, will face Wycombe Wanderers.
The full list of Northern Section draw includes: * Tranmere or Burton vs Lincoln * Accrington Stanley vs Doncaster * Wigan vs Stockport * Stoke vs Bradford * Burnley vs Derby * Sunderland vs Huddersfield or Leicester * Birmingham or Sheffield United vs Port Vale * Preston vs Wrexham * Barnsley or Fleetwood vs Rotherham * Bolton or Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds * Everton vs Mansfield * Grimsby vs Manchester United
The full list of Southern Section draw includes: * Fulham vs Bristol City * Norwich vs Southampton * Oxford vs Brighton * Reading vs AFC Wimbledon * Bournemouth vs Brentford * Millwall vs Coventry * Wolves vs West Ham * Swansea vs Plymouth * Bromley vs Wycombe * Cardiff vs Cheltenham or Exeter * Cambridge vs Charlton
The winners of each tie will advance to the third round, which is scheduled for the weeks commencing September 15 and September 22. The final is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026.
