Manchester United Set to Face Grimsby Town in Carabao Cup Second Round
Manchester United, six-time winners of the League Cup, will face League Two's Grimsby Town in the second round of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup.
This season marks the first time in 11 years that United will not participate in European competitions, making this draw particularly significant for manager David Artell and his squad.
In another notable matchup, League Two team Bromley, who shocked Championship side Ipswich by winning on penalties in the first round, will host League One's Wycombe Wanderers.
The draw also features two all-Premier League encounters: Bournemouth will host Brentford, while Wolves will take on West Ham at home.
Fulham is set to welcome Bristol City to Craven Cottage, Brighton will travel to Oxford United, and Burnley will host Derby County.
Additionally, Sunderland will play against the winner of the upcoming first-round match between Huddersfield Town and Leicester City, and Leeds United will face the victor of the Bolton versus Sheffield Wednesday match.
Everton will compete against League One side Mansfield Town at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Ruben Amorim's United, along with 10 other Premier League clubs, join the competition in the second round. The remaining nine top-flight teams are engaged in European tournaments and will enter in the third round. These teams include Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, reigning champions Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, and Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle triumphed over Liverpool 2-1 in last season's final, claiming their first major trophy in 56 years.
The EFL Cup maintains a regional format in the early rounds, with the draw divided into Southern and Northern sections until the third round.
The 23 second-round matches are scheduled for the week beginning August 25. The final five first-round matches will take place tonight, with one tie pending due to a postponement caused by a power outage. Burton Albion's match against Tranmere Rovers has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, August 19.
Carabao Cup Second Round Draw
Northern Section
Accrington Stanley vs. Doncaster Rovers
Barnsley/Fleetwood Town vs. Rotherham United
Birmingham City/Sheffield United vs. Port Vale
Bolton Wanderers/Sheffield Wednesday vs. Leeds United
Burnley vs. Derby County
Everton vs. Mansfield Town
Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United
Preston North End vs. Wrexham
Stoke City vs. Bradford City
Sunderland vs. Huddersfield Town/Leicester City
Tranmere Rovers/Burton Albion vs. Lincoln City
Wigan Athletic vs. Stockport County
Southern Section
Bournemouth vs. Brentford
Bromley vs. Wycombe Wanderers
Cambridge United vs. Charlton Athletic
Cardiff City vs. Cheltenham Town/Exeter City
Fulham vs. Bristol City
Millwall vs. Coventry City
Norwich City vs. Southampton
Oxford United vs. Brighton
Reading vs. AFC Wimbledon
Swansea City vs. Plymouth Argyle
Wolves vs. West Ham United
Ties to be played during the week commencing August 25.