EFL leave door open for new Man United stadium to host Carabao Cup final

EFL chairman Rick Parry has refused to rule out an alternative venue to Wembley for one of English football's major trophies.

United have officially unveiled their plans for a brand new 100,000 seater stadium to replace their iconic home of Old Trafford.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been pushing for a 'Wembley of the north', with the project expected to cost around £2billion.

It's set to become the biggest stadium in the country, and could be a ground in which silverware will be won.

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"Well, it's always nice to have an alternative," he told chief football correspondent Alex Crook. "And it's very exciting for the north. So exciting news, positive news.

"Again from the EFL's point of view, the more that our biggest clubs grow and thrive, the stronger the game will be.

"So we always look on with interest, but that's a few years away yet, but having alternatives is never a bad thing."

The League Cup, which features all 92 teams in the top four divisions of English football, was founded in 1960.

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A variety of stadiums have hosted the finals since, including Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and Birmingham City's St Andrew's.

However, Wembley has been its home since 1967 apart from when it was closed for renovation in 2000.

The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff was the temporary host for seven seasons before normality was restored in London.

Wembley is also where the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals are held, as well as the Community Shield.

FA Cup semi-finals and finals are played there too, although fans have called for a relocation in recent years.

Northern clubs including Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester City and United have had to travel across the country for showcase matches.

Fans have therefore spend hundreds on travel to and from London, as well as accommodation.

There is a feeling it would make more sense for such clubs to play their finals at stadiums closer to the two finalists.

However, there appears to be little in terms of development around this idea as Wembley remains to go-to home for the big stage.

Liverpool versus Newcastle on Sunday is the first cup final to be held there this season.

Birmingham and Peterborough United will compete for the Vertu Trophy on April 13 before the Non-League Finals day on May 11.