Big three avoid each other as Man Utd draw Colchester, Liverpool get Villa and Man City go to Oxford in Carabao Cup

MANCHESTER UNITED will face League Two's Colchester United in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup as the three big teams avoided each other.

The Red Devils booked their place in the last eight in emphatic style as Marcus Rashford saw off Chelsea with a simply stunning free-kick in a 2-1 win.

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And five-time winners United now have a home tie against Colchester, who have already dumped Premier League sides Tottenham and Crystal Palace out the competition this season.

Reigning champions Manchester City have beaten Leicester away in the quarters for the last two seasons but this time will have to get past Oxford.

That match is a repeat of the third-round clash from last season as goals from Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden set City on their way to cup glory.

And Premier League leaders Liverpool, whose eight triumphs in this competition is a record, managed to avoid both Merseyside rivals Everton as well as in-form Leicester after beating Arsenal on penalties after a 5-5 draw.

Jurgen Klopp's side were drawn to play Aston Villa - but it is still unclear if the Reds will complete their fixture due to their involvement in the Club World Cup.

Liverpool are due to play their CWC semi-final in Qatar on December 18 with a final or third-place play-off three days later.

Klopp told reporters on Wednesday night: "If they can't find the proper date for us and I don't mean Christmas Day 3am... then we can't play the game. Our opponents will progress.

"We will not be the victims of this problem.

"Hopefully it starts now that they think about the fixtures.

"I think a lot of people from the Premier League were watching on TV hoping Arsenal do it. Sorry!"

If Liverpool do pull out, Aston Villa will get a bye into the final four.

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The last two sides to come out of the hat were Everton and Leicester, with that match to be played at Goodison Park.

Ties will be played on the week commencing December 16.

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