On his haunches is where Ruben Amorim spends most of his contemplative touchline moments and as this League Cup quarter-final exposed Manchester United’s many flaws – and occasional strengths – there was no shortage of things to trouble him.

The second half passed as if on the crest of a sugar-rush brought on by the sponsor’s fizzy drinks: six goals, three goalkeeper errors, one sparkling substitute intervention from Amad Diallo. It was Tottenham Hotspur who progressed to a Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool although they came close to junking that advantage as the chaos of the game engulfed Fraser Forster.

Spurs’ second-choice goalkeeper made two mistakes in the space of seven minutes that opened the door for United to go from 3-0 down to 3-2 contenders. That was as close as they got, however, and whatever Forster’s fallibility there was just as much of it – if not quite so spectacular – on United’s side. From the soaring highs of Sunday’s derby win, so they came crashing back down as the terminal unreliability of these players announced itself anew.

Lisandro Martinez prodded and stumbled. Altay Bayindir, the second-choice goalkeeper, conceded direct from Heung-min Son’s corner. Antony was a shadow in a pair of boots. All three of United’s goals came from substitutes – two of them, Joshua Zirkzee and Diallo, sent on as the rescue act after the third Spurs goal. That third was headed in by another substitute, Jonny Evans, 36-years-old and destined, it seems, to keep on being ushered back into the action for United again and again.

At this rate, Evans may even outlast Marcus Rashford, almost a decade his junior, who was once again omitted from the squad on what Amorim later explained were the same grounds he was left out on Sunday. When Rashford is planning on returning to the levels required no-one could say. Amorim faces another tricky home game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday where he will not wish to lose a second successive home game.

The eternally durable Evans, on as a first half substitute for Victor Lindelof, scored the game’s final goal in the fifth minute of time added on at the end of the game, and remarkably the last seconds of the tie expired with United somehow still in with a chance.

By the end that mattered little to Ange Postecoglou, who has promised a trophy in his second Spurs season, and now faces Liverpool next month for a place at Wembley. He has 10 players unavailable either injured or suffering from illness, the latest being Timo Werner, the German who woke up with a fever on the morning of the game. “This group of players is doing an unbelievable job to get us through” Postecoglou said.

He said that he had no alternative but to keep playing Dominic Solanke, who scored twice. There was a fine first half performance in particular from Dejan Kulusevski, who scored the second for Spurs. They play Liverpool at home on Sunday, a game no less important than the semi-final that is coming in this competition. Spurs’ results are just as volatile as those of United. This was just their third win in the last 10 games and for periods of the second half it did feel on a knife edge.

That was as Diallo, and yet another United substitute Alejandro Garnacho, back in from the cold, poured forward with every Forster touch cheered by the United fans. Amorim’s players had gone in at half-time one goal behind when Bayindir had pushed a shot from Pedro Porro straight to the feet of Solanke. Amorim argued that his team had controlled much of the first half and were well set until calamity struck after the break.

They conceded twice in the first nine minutes of the half. Their manager charitably described it as a “disconnect” – by which he meant once they had conceded the first they failed to settle and keep possession and so quickly conceded again. On the pitch it looked much more ragged than that.

There had been changes to the starting XI. Andre Onana, Harry Maguire and Diallo, starters in the win against City, were on the bench. Matthijs de Ligt was out. Christian Eriksen came into the side as well as Antony and Bayindir. Leny Yoro made only the second start of his United career. Just before half-time United lost Lindelof to injury - the Sweden international distraught at what appeared to be another one of his hamstring episodes.

Then at a goal down, United were swiftly two more behind. James Maddison’s cross created the first. It was a difficult ball to deal with given Martinez’s momentum but he nudged it straight to Kulusevski. Short of knocking it in himself, all other options were preferable. Second time around Solanke just ran off Martinez too easily, cut back on his right foot past the Argentine, and the recovery run of Evans, and slotted his second of the night.

Amorim’s substitutions were the right ones: Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and also Eriksen, who had offered the most of that trio. Forster had made a fine save from the first United chance after that, a header from Zirkzee. From there it went dark for the Spurs goalkeeper. He sold Radu Dragusin short trying to pass out and Bruno Fernandes nicked the ball to create the chance for Zirkzee. That was United’s first goal and Diallo scored the second when he bore down on Forster seven minutes later and effectively blocked the goalkeeper’s clearance into the net.

For the United fans behind the Spurs goal it was an electrifying moment. Diallo had curved his run and then accelerated when he spied Forster delay for a moment too long. At the final moment Diallo launched himself in front of the ball and United had their second. Son’s late goal straight from the corner seemed to have settled it – even though Bayindir claimed he was fouled by substitute Lucas Bergvall. But there was one more goal to come for Spurs’ embattled goalkeeper.

11:05 PM GMT

That’s all for tonight

The League Cup gave everyone their money’s worth tonight and Arsenal vs Newcastle and Liverpool vs Tottenham promise to be tasty in the next round.

10:56 PM GMT

Amorim’s post-match thoughts

10:51 PM GMT

Two appetising semi-finals coming up

Liverpool and Arsenal favourites based on league form and pedigree, but I expect both of those sides to rotate significantly (though by no means pick a team of kids). Newcastle and Spurs will go full strength and flat out. Along with Everton, they are the two clubs most ravenous for a cup win. The two-legged ties will be played in the weeks beginning January 6 and February 3.

10:43 PM GMT

So that means...Liverpool vs Spurs

Liverpool will have the Anfield factor in the second leg.

10:42 PM GMT

Arsenal vs Newcastle United!

Arsenal will be playing at home first. Newcastle will be pleased to be at St James’ Park for the second leg.

10:41 PM GMT

Time for the draw...

Not long to wait now until we find out the semi-final line up. Here are the ball numbers:

1. Arsenal

2. Liverpool

3. Newcastle

4. Tottenham

10:30 PM GMT

Postecoglou defends his approach

10:23 PM GMT

Jamie Carragher on Lisandro Martinez

10:20 PM GMT

Solanke speaking after the game

10:13 PM GMT

The match stats

09:59 PM GMT

FT: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 3

Spurs are through to the League Cup semi-finals, and for a club desperately trying to end what will be a 17-year wait for a major trophy that is all that matters. The second half went haywire, with Kulusevski and Solanke putting Spurs three up before a pair of Forster clangers let United back in. Spurs were on the ropes then, but Son’s goal straight from a corner gave them breathing space in spite of Evans’ consolation.

Job done for Spurs but can anyone say they really fancy them to win the competition after watching that? The semi-final is a fresh start though, and they will hope to have their first-choice defenders back by then.

09:57 PM GMT

97 minutes: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 3

One last chance for United to boot the ball forward from the goalkeeper, but Dragusin hammers clear.

09:55 PM GMT

95 minutes: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 3

One more minute for United to push for a goal. Now or never but they do have the ball in Tottenham’s half... but Fernandes’ cross was aimless and Forster gathers. That should be that. Bergvall is down trying to kill some time.

09:54 PM GMT

GOOOALL! Evans glances on the header at the near post

There are still two minutes to play! Amad delivers to the near post, and Evans flicks it on into the far corner. This has been a comedy of errors, some United fans have even left.

09:53 PM GMT

94 minutes: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 2

United have another corner. Surely there is not time for another twist?

09:52 PM GMT

92 minutes: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 2

Mazraoui with a snap shot wide of the post after Zirkzee’s effort was blocked. Forster to take a goal kick, and there is no question of playing short now.

09:50 PM GMT

90 minutes: Tottenham 4 Man Utd 2

Six minutes of stoppage time to play and surely Spurs are home and hosed now.

09:48 PM GMT

GOOOAAALL! Son looks to have scored direct from a corner

An inswinger from Son that curled over the head of Bayindir and into the far corner, and Spurs can breathe again. Bayindir is booked for calling for a foul, claiming that Bergvall pushed him. No VAR at this stage of the competition and the goal stands.

09:46 PM GMT

86 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

Garnacho penalised for a push and Spurs can kill some precious seconds. They can see the finish line now. Spurs fans will be jubilant if they progress but I’m not sure they will have won much trust after this. Yoro tackles Son and Spurs have a corner. They are now down the right end of the pitch.

09:43 PM GMT

84 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

Amad Diallo believes he should have a corner and the replays are inconclusive. Goal kick, and Forster goes long but United have it back and are ready to launch another attack. Bissouma is then fortunate to win a foul after Forster bowls the ball out to him under pressure.

09:42 PM GMT

82 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

Another crazy moment involving Fraser Forster: Son lost the ball cheaply 25 yards from his own goal and Amad unleashed a strike on goal. Clean connection and plenty of power behind it, and Forster stuck out a leg to save even though it was straight at him. Practically a goal-line clearance.

09:40 PM GMT

80 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

Have Spurs seen out the worst of it now? They have a throw-in in the United half but they lose the ball cheaply soon after. Kulusevski restores some order. A reminder, if the game finishes as a draw we go straight to penalties. Porro’s cross is straight into the goalkeeper’s bread basket.

09:37 PM GMT

78 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

The away end roars as United win a corner but Spurs deal with it. They are penned in though and United mount another attack. The home fans are trying to encourage and rouse their team. Mainoo takes the ball well on the turn and Maddison is booked for pulling back back. Maddison is being replaced by Bergvall. Maddison would now miss the semi-final.

09:35 PM GMT

75 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

United should be level, it was oh so easy for them to work the ball from left to right and find Mazraoui as the spare man on the overlap. Zirkzee did not bust a gut to get across the Spurs defence and the wing-back blasted a shot wide. Then Amad blasted a shot over. United just need to stay patient, they are finding so much space and Tottenham’s heads (and other parts of their anatomy) look to have gone.

09:32 PM GMT

73 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 2

Forster has a goal kick and does go long this time. This is an critical closing period coming up for Spurs and Postecoglou. I’m not sure there will be a way back for him if they blow this. Conversley, they are probably a goal away from killing this off and relaxing again.

09:30 PM GMT

GOOOALLL! Forster with another shocker of a mistake

Spurs play back to Forster who is being charged down by Amad Diallo, and the goalkeeper tries to take a touch. The United forward blocks his clearance on the slide and the ball flies into the net. Just one goal in it with 20 ot go now and Garnacho is on for Ugarte. Game very much on.

“One of the most Tottenham things you will see!”, says Neville.

The sheer speed of Amad has flummoxed Forster there. It’s the sort of energy and determination that Antony was simply not capable of producing in the first half. This has turned into a fantastic cup-tie.

09:28 PM GMT

69 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 1

Spurs were in complete control but it seems they have a compulsive attraction to drama. Gary Neville is imploring them to slow the game down, but their players are probably thinking about scoring the fourth. Maddison wins a foul in midfield after a neat turn. Amorim is ready to introduce Garnacho.

09:27 PM GMT

66 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 1

Naturally, there is some anxiety around the ground now. The sight of Jon Macken’s glancing header flashing before the eyes of every Spurs fan old enough to remember that 4-3.

And Bissouma very nearly scored a hideous own goal, poking wide of his own goal. United then work the corner short, and Diallo deflected shot trickles just wide of the post.

United alive again.

09:23 PM GMT

GOOOALL! United have one back through Zirkzee

What were we saying about Spurs staying professional? Forster tried a square pass across his six-yard box for Dragusin but left it short, allowing Fernandes to pounce and square for Zirkzee to score a tap in.

09:22 PM GMT

63 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 0

Excellent save from Fraser Forster! Dalot’s cross looped over the head of Gray and Zirkzee planted his header into the turf. It was heading into the corner only for Forster to pluck it away.

09:21 PM GMT

60 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 0

Martinez is caught under the ball again competing against Solanke. “He’s having an absolute nightmare,” is the verdict of Gary Neville on Sky. Ugarte is penalised for a foul on Spence. Spurs just need to stay professional now and not allow the game to become like basketball.

09:17 PM GMT

A horrible 15 minutes for United

United have fallen apart. It’s so, so easy for Solanke. Twice in a few minutes, Martinez has totally failed to deal with the danger that was unfolding in front of him.

Triple sub for United now. No surprise. They’ve collapsed since half-time.

09:17 PM GMT

57 minutes: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 0

Triple sub from Amorim: Hojlund, Antony and Eriksen off for Zirkzee, Mainoo and Amad.

Kulusevski is almost toying with the players in red now, much to the delight of the crowd. Solanke has two goals but he is their best player by some distance at the moment.

09:14 PM GMT

GOOOAALL! Solanke scores his second, surely game over

Curtains for United now, and Lisandro Martinez was nowhere to be seen once again. He played Solanke’s initial run onside, before the Spurs striker skipped inside him with ease and drilled a shot beyond the goalkeeper. Two for Solanke tonight, and he also scored at Old Trafford in the league. Cracking centre-forward play but poor defending.

09:12 PM GMT

53 minutes: Tottenham 2 Man Utd 0

The home fans are singing “Spurs are on their way to Wembley” and their team are moving the ball with more assurance with the comfort of that two-goal lead. How desperate will Amorim and United be to go chasing this? Hojlund is flagged for offside. Zirkzee is ready to come on, as is Kobbie Mainoo.

09:10 PM GMT

50 minutes: Tottenham 2 Man Utd 0

Spurs have played in second gear but have gratefully accepted the gifts on offer from United’s goalkeeper and defence. They do tend to come on strong in second halves at home, which could make this a long half for Amorim and his team.

09:08 PM GMT

Tottenham’s go-to man

We said it in the first half and it’s especially true now: Kulusevski’s the man for Spurs. He’s one of the best players in England at the moment and he has sparkled again tonight.

09:07 PM GMT

GOOOAAALL! Kulusevski strikes inside a minute after the restart

Spurs are in command now. Maddison gets on the overlap down the left, flashes a ball across goal, and Lisandro Martinez’s clearance is really weak. He hanged a leg at it and merely directed the ball into Kulusevski’s path who slammed home from six yards.

09:05 PM GMT

The second half is back under way

No changes from either manager at the break. Let’s see how long Antony survives.

08:50 PM GMT

HT: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Spurs lead and are halfway to a League Cup semi-final. I think Postecoglou will want to get them in and address some problems with the performance though. Spurs are not dominating territory and possession to their usual extent, and have found it hard to play through United. Kulusevski has made things happen, but they have played in fits and starts.

There have been some nice sequences from the away team, usually involving Fernandes running off Porro’s inside shoulder or Eriksen picking a pass. Surely a matter of time before Amad or even Garnacho are introduced.

08:48 PM GMT

45 minutes+2: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

United with a decent chance in the closing moments of the half, with Eriksen arriving onto another Dallot pull-back but Gray blocked his shot.

08:46 PM GMT

45 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Lindelof’s race is run and Jonny Evans rather than Harry Maguire replaces him. Lindelof looked crestfallen walking down the tunnel after suffering yet another muscular problem. Just the two minutes of added time to play.

08:44 PM GMT

43 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

United finishing the half on the front foot. Fernandes scoops a cross towards Mazraoui at the back post but he could not direct the ball accurately to Hojlund. From the resulting pair of corners, the ball just will not drop for a red shirt and Spurs survive. Lindelof is down with an injury concern.

08:42 PM GMT

40 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Spurs have found it difficult to play out from the back all night, perhaps as a consequence of their makeshift centre-back pairing and a right-footed left back. The crowd will be satisfied with the scoreline but they are a little quiet now.

08:37 PM GMT

37 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

United deal with the corner before Solanke goes down looking for a penalty. Lindelof stands up well to block a Son shot.

Then Fernandes breaks away in the left channel again and almost flicks the ball into Hojlund’s path. Then Fernandes whips a shot just wide from 25 yards out.

Fernandes is doing a decent Rashford impression tonight with his runs in that inside-left slot. The distances between Dragusin and Porro are too big.

08:35 PM GMT

34 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Good things happen for Spurs whenever Kulusevski has the ball in or around the penalty area. He twists Lindelof up something rotten before squeezing a cross through his legs, and Ugarte was not far from scoring an own goal. With the ball going wide of the post, it was instead a good defensive intervention.

Kulusevski, once again, is the dangerman for Spurs. He’s their player of the season so far by an absolute mile, and he has produced some lovely touches and turns so far this evening. The more Spurs can work the ball towards him, the bette

08:32 PM GMT

31 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Antony’s turn to see a shot blocked after another cut-back. Sarr and Bissouma have struggled to get a grip of the game in midfield despite Spurs hitting the blog. Yoro heads Kulusevski’s cross away after a more fluent Spurs move from left to right. United are playing reasonably well but you would not know it to look at Amorim:

08:29 PM GMT

29 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Spurs need to be careful here, they are losing possession in central areas far too frequently. United seeing plenty of the ball at the moment, Spurs left to play on the counter-attack which is unusual for them at home. Gray just about squeezes a risky pass to the edge of the area from his own byline.

08:27 PM GMT

26 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Lovely turn from Kulusevski to roll Fernandes in the box, and he tried to blast the ball beyond Bayindir at his near post. The United goalkeeper stood strong to save. That will make him feel a lot better.

08:25 PM GMT

24 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Sarr has now been booked for Spurs, meaning he will be suspended for the potential semi-final first leg. Fernandes’ movement on the left of United’s attack causing problems again. From the free-kick, Eriksen whips his cross onto the roof of the net. Spurs struggling to keep the ball at the moment, United’s shape is causing problems.

Some respite for the home team though, with Mazraoui booked for fouling Spence. Lindelof sold his mate short with a blind pass.

Postecoglou is in absolute disbelief at that yellow card for Sarr. The Spurs coach put his face in his hands and just shook his head in sadness.

08:22 PM GMT

22 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Mazraoui tries to find the deep run of Fernandes with a pass over the Tottenham defence but Porro did just enough to stop him getting the shot away. Then Dalot pulls a cross back into a threatening space for Eriksen to strike, and Bissouma blocked his shot. It was scuffed but heading on target.

08:20 PM GMT

19 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

Nice turn from Lisandro Martinez to get away from Kulusevski. Considering the changes, I do not think Amorim will be displeased by this first period of the game with the exception of that Solanke goal. The away team are finding plenty of space in the Spurs half.

08:18 PM GMT

17 minutes: Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0

United searching for a quick response and once again Eriksen is involved, a first-time pass to find Fernandes in space on the left. He goes for the outside of the foot cross which runs across the six-yard box. Hojlund was never getting there.

08:16 PM GMT

GOOOAALL! Solanke converts after Bayindir spills shot

Spurs took the free-kick short before working the ball back into a central position. Porro took the shot on from 25 yards, well struck with some swerve but the goalkeeper parried it back into the box. A smart finish from Solanke in off the near post. That should settle any Spurs nerves.

That’s a wonderfully crisp finish by Solanke but let’s be honest here: that goal is all about Bayindir, sadly. Just a few minutes earlier he had received some instructions from Amorim on the touchline. The United coach clearly wasn’t happy with his positioning. He’ll be even more unhappy with the goalkeeper’s fumble there.

08:14 PM GMT

14 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Son bends a shot from 25 yards over the bar, and if furious with the referee. He believes Spurs should have had a corner but goal kick given. Yoro goes to ground in the area against Son, but won the ball. The same cannot be said for Ugarte who brings down Maddison. Spurs free-kick in a crossing position, left of centre.

08:12 PM GMT

12 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Eriksen is causing Spurs real problems at the moment, orchestrating all of United’s attacks. He poked a cute pass to Fernandes who was able to feed Hojlund running into the box, but Gray and Dragusin between them got back to squeeze him out. Could United’s centre-forward have got his shot away? Fernandes then flashes a menacing ball across goal.

08:10 PM GMT

10 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Christian Eriksen reminds Tottenham fans of his quality with a raking switch of play from right to left towards Dalot, who wins United a corner. Eriksen takes the inswinger from the left, and Bissouma did just enough to head up and away in unorthodox fashion. Bissouma then catches Eriksen in midfield at the expense of a free-kick.

08:08 PM GMT

7 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Early indications are that United, understandably, are looking to be direct with early balls towards Hojlund against Gray. Yoro sweeps up behind his defence against Solanke.

Slick football from Spurs involving Sarr and Kulusevski but Maddison failed to squeeze a pass through to Son. Decent tempo to the contest. United’s are fans going through their festive songbook, starting with the 12 Days of Cantona.

08:05 PM GMT

5 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Spurs venturing forward again but Spence fouls Yoro. The home team are looking to get on with things at every opportunity. United play long from the free-kick and Hojlund does well to win a second ball but Antony is loose once again.

08:03 PM GMT

3 minutes: Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0

Ugarte in well on Maddison in midfield before Antony is caught dallying on the ball with Yoro advancing. Spurs broke into the space vacated on the right of United’s defence, and the away side were thankful that Kulusevski’s pull back fell to Eriksen rather than Son. United goalkeeper Bayindir then clears the ball into touch. Spurs have settled well.

08:01 PM GMT

KICK OFF!

United get the game started. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looks close to capacity tonight, both sets of fans are up for the League Cup at least.

07:57 PM GMT

The players are on their way out of the tunnel

I think the quality of Spurs’ front six should be enough to see them through against a rotated United side, but their football always feels like a high-wire act. United will hope to keep things tight and play on Spurs’ trophy-related neuroses as the game progresses.

07:52 PM GMT

Jamie Carragher on Leny Yoro

07:43 PM GMT

Tottenham’s centre-back pairing tonight

Archie Gray partners Radu Dragusin. Gray’s long-term future is thought to lie in central midfield, but most of his Spurs starts in the cup competitions have come in defence. Rasmus Hojlund is a formidable opponent physically and will surely look to pull onto Gray. Spurs will be hoping Romero and Van de Ven return for the potential semi-final.

07:32 PM GMT

A rare start for Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir

With Amorim encouraging United to build play in at a slower tempo, Andre Onana has been enjoying plenty of touches of the ball. Will Altay Bayindir be as comfortable? Spurs are energetic starters who press from the front, so he will have to be careful.

07:20 PM GMT

Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher on Rashford

07:18 PM GMT

Postecoglou points to Spurs’ injury problems

07:10 PM GMT

Amorim says Rashford’s absence is ‘just selection’

07:09 PM GMT

Some interesting team news there

Only one place to start and that is the news that Marcus Rashford has been left out of the matchday squad for consecutive games. Alejandro Garnacho is back on the bench. Ruben Amorim has rested Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo. De Ligt misses out with illness. Antony gets a rare start, and United fans will be heartened to see Leny Yoro start at the back.

Yoro will be defending the channel Heung-min Son operates in. A strong look to Spurs’ front six, with James Maddison rewarded for his double at Southampton. His presence the attacking midfield means Dejan Kulusevski will play from the right. Porro, Gray, Dragusin and Spence is a very flimsy back four though.

07:02 PM GMT

Tottenham team and subs: Kulusevski in wider role, Spence left-back

07:01 PM GMT

Manchester United team and subs: No Marcus Rashford in the squad

06:55 PM GMT

Amorim speaking about Rashford in his press conference

06:43 PM GMT

A reminder about the semi-final draw

The draw for the Carabao Cup semis will follow this game at approximately 10.30pm and we will be providing live updates. Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal are already through. Arsenal and Spurs have plenty of history in semi-finals of the domestic cups but have never played in a major final. Newcastle have lost their last two appearances in major finals to Man Utd, in this competition in 2023 and the 1999 FA Cup final, so might fancy some revenge.

06:40 PM GMT

Postecoglou on what winning a cup would mean

06:35 PM GMT

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06:33 PM GMT

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06:31 PM GMT

Tottenham can grasp trophy opportunity but mood feels fragile

By what standards should we judge Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham? If the criteria is making Spurs a consistent presence in the top three or four of the Premier League, then they are falling some way short after 19 defeats in 54 games. If however, the goal is to end Tottenham’s wait for a first major trophy since 2008, then their season could still finish as a resounding success.

They are bookies’ favourites to win the Europa League - with no Champions League teams dropping down this season - and play Tamworth in the FA Cup third round. Postecoglou has sent rather mixed messages on the subject, bullishly pointing to his habit of lifting silverware in his second season at clubs but also defining progress in more holistic terms on other occasions. Regardless of how much weight you afford the domestic cups when evaluating progress, tonight’s League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United feels like it could define the mood at Spurs.

United are certainly in better spirits after their improbable derby day comeback at Manchester City, the day when new head coach Ruben Amorim really stamped his authority on the club through his handling of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. There is a possibility that both players could be recalled tonight, and their speed appears tailor-made for exploiting the spaces a cavalier Spurs offer up. Rashford may not have helped his cause by publicly expressing his desire for a “new challenge”. It could be argued that being made to start a League Cup game is a punishment in itself for the big players, as Paul Scholes discovered when crossing Sir Alex Ferguson in 2001.

Spurs have Yves Bissouma back from suspension, but were unsuccessful in their attempt to reduce Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban. The game comes far too soon for injured centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, so Postecoglou’s defence will once again have a makeshift look. Destiny Udogie is being assessed.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United are the three teams already through to the semi-finals, with the draw following this game. Full team news on the way shortly.