Only one of last year's EFL Cup finalists can enter the pot for the 2023-24 quarter-final draw, as Manchester United renew hostilities with Newcastle United in Wednesday's fourth-round battle at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag's men put three past Crystal Palace without reply to cruise into the last 16, while the Magpies ended Manchester City's quadruple hopes with a memorable one-goal triumph.
Following a few flashes of promise in the opening five minutes, Ten Hag's tepid troops were brought crashing back down to earth by an Erling Haaland brace before the Norwegian turned provider for Phil Foden to tap home, leading to a cacophony of jeers at full time as the Theatre of Dreams turned into an auditorium of nightmares.
Pep Guardiola's treble winners ruthlessly snapped Man United's three-game victorious run on Sunday, but in truth, all of the Red Devils' previous successes over Brentford, Copenhagen and Sheffield United still left a lot to be desired, although their 3-0 beating of Palace in round three was a rare enjoyable experience.
Man United enter Wednesday's blockbuster showdown having progressed from each of their last five fourth-round ties in the EFL Cup, and not since a penalty-shootout loss to Middlesbrough in 2015 have the Red Devils - who are seeking their seventh triumph in the tournament - been dumped out at this point.
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