Manchester City will not be thrown out of the Carabao Cup if their COVID-19 crisis prevents them from playing Manchester United on Wednesday.

City’s Premier League clash with Everton on Monday was postponed four hours before kick-off, after they recorded three new positive cases.

The former champions are wary the virus has infiltrated their squad bubble, with Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker among five already isolating.

But Manchester United will not be handed a bye into the Wembley final, despite Leyton Orient leaving the competition at the third-round under the same circumstances.

Orient had 17 positive tests back in September when they were scheduled to face Spurs, who have reached their own semi-final against Brentford, after being ushered through to the fourth-round.

City will not receive the same treatment, with the EFL’s rules for the semi-final stating their committee will use its “reasonable endeavours” to rearrange the match as early as possible.

Responding to a tweet suggesting City should forfeit the fixture, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville commented: “Not sure they will but I think Leyton Orient will be watching closely.”

There is a small chance the fixture could still be abandoned though, only if the EFL committee decides it cannot be rearranged.

DailyPost