Fuming fans claim Carabao Cup draw is ‘most rigged ever’ as Newcastle tie AGAIN raises eyebrows after ‘human error’

FUMING football fans claimed the Carabao Cup fourth round draw was “rigged” after Manchester United were picked to play at home for the 12th consecutive time.

The Red Devils set a new record on Wednesday after being drawn against Newcastle.

PAThe Carabao Cup fourth round draw was made on Wednesday[/caption]

AlamyMan Utd were drawn against Newcastle in a repeat of last season’s final[/caption]

They will face the Magpies at Old Trafford, marking their 12th home tie in a row.

United’s extraordinary run of consecutive domestic cup fixtures dates back to March 2021.

And some fans have started to claim that the Carabao Cup has been “rigged” as a result.

One person tweeted: “Lol turned that s**t off when we got United away then Liverpool got Bournemouth, most rigged ever.”

Another added: “Why do Man U always play their Carabao Cup games at home while other teams travel away? Beginning to think the tournament is rigged in order to make them relevant again.”

A third wrote: “Can’t tell me the Carabao cup draw isn’t rigged every year.”

A fourth commented: “Of course Man Utd get another home time in a cup. So rigged #CarabaoCup.”

While one Newcastle fan was particularly disappointed, adding: “Another rigged draw for Newcastle Utd getting Man U away whilst Liverpool get an easy draw again in the Carabao Cup. They’re really trying their hardest to make sure that we don’t get to Wembley again this season aren’t they.”

The Magpies took on Man Utd in the 2022-23 Carabao Cup final in February, but they fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Eddie Howe‘s side have faced a difficult run in the competition so far.

They were drawn against treble winners Manchester City in the third round after a mix-up with ball numbers.

The EFL later admitted to the blunder, which saw Newcastle’s number mistakenly switched with Norwich’s.

A spokesperson said: “The numbers for the Round Three draw of the Carabao Cup were allocated and communicated in advance of the draw taking place on Wednesday evening and were drawn in-line with the usual strict protocols and conditions. 

“The League accepts that the list published was not in alphabetical order, however, under Cup rules, the draw does not require for numbers to be allocated on that basis.

“The EFL views the draw as completely valid with no impact to competition integrity.”

Newcastle went on to win their cup clash 1-0 against Man City on Wednesday thanks to a second-half strike from Alexander Isak.