- Southampton set to battle Newcastle United
Four-time winners Nottingham Forest will face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with Southampton’s reward for beating Manchester City being a two-legged tie with fellow premiership side, Newcastle United
Following Wednesday night’s draw to decide the final-four ties, United will be away in the first leg during the week beginning 23 January, and then at home in the following week, commencing 30 January.
Forest booked their place in the penultimate round by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 on penalties, after being held 1-1 at the City Ground. Dean Henderson was the hero for Forest, saving two penalties in a shoot-out against Wolves to send his side through to the Carabao Cup semi-final. The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper kept out spot-kicks from Ruben Neves and Joe Hodge as Forest emerged 4-3 winners after it had ended 1-1 in normal time.
Under the terms of his loan agreement, Henderson was unable to play when both clubs met on 27 December at Old Trafford. Wales international Wayne Hennessey deputised in goal as Erik ten Hag’s team triumphed 3-0 in the Premier League with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Fred on the scoresheet
That was the first competitive game between both teams for more than 23 years since Forest were relegated from the top flight in 1999. There have been three previous meetings in the League Cup, all resulting in United victories, including the 1992 final when Brian McClair scored the only goal that saw the Red Devils win the trophy for the first time.
Forest are in the last four of a competition that they have special memories in, having won it four times, and now a return to Wembley looks like a real possibility as they will prepare to face United in the two-legged last-four tie.
Semi-final first legs will be played in the week commencing January 23 with the second legs taking place in the week commencing January 30, while the final holds at Wembley on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
