Both Manchester United and Manchester City face away ties in the Capital One Cup quarter finals after respective victories against Norwich City and Newcastle United this week.
City face a trip to the only remaining non-Premier League club left in the competition at Leicester City while United must travel down to Stoke.
The prospect of another all Manchester Semi-Final or perhaps even a final could be the reward for successful negotiation of the fifth round ties though there remains significantly strong clubs in the draw with Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton figuring.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to believe that City had the easiest of the fifth round ties at Leicester City:
“I’m not thinking it’s an easy tie,” Pellegrini said.
“Leicester continue in this cup because they beat Fulham and that is not an easy team so we suppose we will have a very difficult match and if we want to win we will have to play very well.”
The Chilean admitted he was yet to decide who would start in goal for City on Saturday against Norwich City but refused to be drawn on speculation about Hart’s starting place. Costel Pantilimon started in goal as expected for the Capital One Cup win over Newcastle but Pellegrini did not confirm that Hart would automatically return in the Premier League game at the weekend.
“Whichever keeper plays will have my support,” said Pellegrini.
“Costel normally plays in the League Cup and FA Cup so it was an important game for him.”
Fifth Round Draw
Leicester v Manchester City
Stoke v Manchester United
Sunderland/Southampton v Chelsea
Tottenham v West Ham
Ties will be played week commencing December 16.