Six-time winners Manchester United to visit League Two Grimsby in Carabao Cup’s standout second-round tie

Grimsby Town have been handed a glamour home tie against Manchester United in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The six-time winners will travel to Blundell Park later this month in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the round.

United, who are not competing in Europe this season for the first time in 11 years, were the final club drawn on Wednesday. The tie offers League Two Grimsby and manager David Artell a rare opportunity to host one of English football’s biggest names.

The Mariners will be aiming to pull off a major upset against Ruben Amorim’s side, who enter the competition alongside 10 other Premier League clubs at this stage. The nine remaining top-flight teams are involved in European competition and will join in the third round.

Grimsby’s route to the tie came after progressing from the first round, while United began their campaign here. The week commencing 25 August will see 23 second-round fixtures played, with the draw still split into Northern and Southern sections.

Elsewhere in the Northern section, Everton will host League One Mansfield Town at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Burnley face Derby County at Turf Moor, Sunderland welcome Huddersfield Town, and there is an all-Yorkshire clash as Sheffield Wednesday take on Leeds United.

League Two Bromley, who stunned Championship side Ipswich Town in the first round with a penalty shootout win, have been rewarded with a home game against League One Wycombe Wanderers.

In the Southern section, two all-Premier League matchups stand out — Bournemouth will take on Brentford, while Wolves will host West Ham United. Fulham meet Bristol City at Craven Cottage, Brighton head to Oxford United, and Millwall face Coventry City at The Den.

The second round also includes Cardiff City at home to Cheltenham Town, Cambridge United hosting Charlton Athletic, Norwich City meeting Southampton, and Swansea City taking on Plymouth Argyle.

Last season’s winners, Newcastle United, are not yet in action. Eddie Howe’s side will enter the third round as they prepare to defend the trophy they won in March by beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley, ending a 56-year wait for major silverware.

The Carabao Cup’s regionalised format ensures that teams in the early rounds are drawn against nearby opposition until the third round. This means Grimsby’s home tie against Manchester United will be part of the Northern section.

Five first-round ties are still outstanding, including Burton Albion’s trip to Tranmere Rovers, which was postponed due to a power cut and will now be played on 19 August. The winner will host Lincoln City in round two.

For Grimsby fans, the visit of Manchester United will be a rare and memorable occasion, pitting the League Two side against one of the most decorated clubs in the competition’s history. While United will be heavy favourites, cup competitions have a long tradition of producing shocks — and Artell’s team will hope to add their name to that list.