Near-neighbours by geography only, Manchester United and Rochdale come from different footballing worlds but will be brought together by the EFL Cup on Wednesday in an unlikely meeting between giants and minnows.
The Dale's cosy home ground of Spotland has a capacity of just over 10,000, so the vast surroundings will have them dreaming of the upsets enjoyed by the likes of Middlesbrough and York City against United at Old Trafford over the years.
In the aftermath of the collapse of Bury and the near-demise of Bolton Wanderers, this is also a welcome money-spinner for one of Lancashire's smaller clubs, as well as a chance for United to test fringe players and target a second cup competition win this season.
Since winning the League Cup in 2017 with the help of two Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals against Southampton in the final, United have twice crashed out of the competition to Championship clubs.
Bristol City took the lead against them in the quarter-final at Ashton Gate two seasons ago, but the most dramatic twist came when Korey Smith scored in the 93rd minute to seal the upset following Ibrahimovic's second-half equaliser.
Under Jose Mourinho, United suffered an even more painful exit last season. After reserve goalkeeper Sergio Romero's second-half red card, Derby County would have won in normal time at Old Trafford but for Marouane Fellaini's 95th-minute equaliser.
The Rams were inspired by Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson - scorer of a long-range free-kick to make the score 1-1 - and secured an 8-7 win on penalties when Phil Jones provided the only miss of the shootout.
Two home matches in six days give United the chance to respond with a couple of wins following a flat performance in the 2-0 loss at West Ham United on Sunday.
The lacklustre defeat meant United had won just once in five Premier League matches, and they have not scored more than once in a game for six matches.
Manchester United form: DLDWWL
Rochdale form: WWLLDL
Source: sportsmole.co.uk
The Dale's cosy home ground of Spotland has a capacity of just over 10,000, so the vast surroundings will have them dreaming of the upsets enjoyed by the likes of Middlesbrough and York City against United at Old Trafford over the years.
In the aftermath of the collapse of Bury and the near-demise of Bolton Wanderers, this is also a welcome money-spinner for one of Lancashire's smaller clubs, as well as a chance for United to test fringe players and target a second cup competition win this season.
Since winning the League Cup in 2017 with the help of two Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals against Southampton in the final, United have twice crashed out of the competition to Championship clubs.
Bristol City took the lead against them in the quarter-final at Ashton Gate two seasons ago, but the most dramatic twist came when Korey Smith scored in the 93rd minute to seal the upset following Ibrahimovic's second-half equaliser.
Under Jose Mourinho, United suffered an even more painful exit last season. After reserve goalkeeper Sergio Romero's second-half red card, Derby County would have won in normal time at Old Trafford but for Marouane Fellaini's 95th-minute equaliser.
The Rams were inspired by Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson - scorer of a long-range free-kick to make the score 1-1 - and secured an 8-7 win on penalties when Phil Jones provided the only miss of the shootout.
Two home matches in six days give United the chance to respond with a couple of wins following a flat performance in the 2-0 loss at West Ham United on Sunday.
The lacklustre defeat meant United had won just once in five Premier League matches, and they have not scored more than once in a game for six matches.
Manchester United form: DLDWWL
Rochdale form: WWLLDL
Source: sportsmole.co.uk
