League Cup draw involving Manchester United to be investigated

Manchester United’s five-game unbeaten run came to an end on Monday as Everton secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, leaving Ruben Amorim and his squad reflecting on defensive lapses and missed opportunities.

The defeat was a reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League, as United now look to quickly regroup ahead of a congested festive schedule.

Fans are discussing how squad rotation, injuries, and tactical tweaks could influence results in the final weeks of 2025.

Attention is also on emerging stars who may be integrated into first-team action, giving fans hope for fresh energy and a spark to reignite the side in upcoming fixtures.

Meanwhile, as the men’s team reassesses priorities after Everton, conversations have begun about knockout competitions and the opportunities for silverware that could still define United’s season.

Off the pitch, the Women’s League Cup has become the centre of attention after questions emerged over the integrity of the quarter-final and semi-final draw held on Tuesday.

The draw took place live on WSL Football’s TikTok page, conducted by social media influencer GK Barry alongside Portsmouth midfielder Ella Rutherford.

Concerns arose when one of the balls appeared to be pulled out, dropped back into the bag, and then redrawn, prompting scrutiny over the process.

An adjudicator confirmed that the number on the ball, which determined one of the home sides in the first semi-final, matched the initial draw, and WSL Football confirmed the draw would have been restarted if the numbers had differed.

According to BBC Sport, one club has requested access to the footage, which is currently unavailable on TikTok or WSL Football’s official YouTube channel.

Further controversy developed when GK Barry, while drawing Tottenham Hotspur’s name, asked: “What do we think of Tottenham?”, referencing a chant often used by Arsenal fans.

WSL Football has since apologised to Spurs, acknowledging the comment was inappropriate.

Manchester United Women, who received a bye to this stage due to their UEFA Women’s Champions League participation, were drawn to face Tottenham in the quarter-finals.

Other quarter-final fixtures see Liverpool take on Chelsea, Crystal Palace face Arsenal, and West Ham United play Manchester City, with the semi-final ties set to follow on 21–22 January.

Despite the off-field drama, Skinner’s squad will now focus fully on preparing for a high-stakes clash against Spurs, aiming to make the most of a knockout competition that could offer a major boost to their season.