On Wednesday night, United take on Championship side Cardiff City in the first round of the Carling Cup (League Cup).  The format for this round is regionalised between North and South, with 17 teams seeded in the North, and 18 in the South.  The Bluebirds are arguably the highest ranked team that unseeded United could have been drawn against, finishing 4th in the Championship last year behind play-off winners Swansea City. 

The 35 first round winners are then joined in the second round by the 13 lowest ranked Premiership Clubs.  The 7 EPL Clubs competing in Europe, (together with holders Birmingham City) receive a bye to the third round.  In rounds one to five, drawn matches go to half-hour of extra time, followed by penalties if necessary.  For those interested in the revenue possibilities, net gate receipts are shared 45% each between the participating clubs, with the remaining 10% going into a pool, to be split at the end of the competition between clubs in the Premier League and those in the Football League.  It is not clear if there is prize money as well. 

Last year, after a four year-break from the Competition, United beat Bristol Rovers 6-1 at home in the first round, before a brave performance at then Premiership side West Ham in front of over 20,000 saw Scott Parker's 93rd minute goal send the Us out of the cup. 

United started off the league season with a 1-0 defeat at Rotherham last Saturday, and Cardiff won 1-0 at West Ham on Sunday.  Because of Cardiff's Sunday game, this fixture was moved back one day from the usual Tuesday night of the early Carling Cup games.  The disturbances in London have though meant the friendly between England and Holland this evening has been postponed, which may help bring a few more fans to the game.  The Wales friendly against Australia at Cardiff's ground goes ahead tonight at a bargain price of