No VAR until semi-finals and no extra time: Carabao Cup rules explained as United and City enter

Manchester United and Manchester City both enter the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage this week, with the competition carrying a distinct set of rules on extra time, VAR, and substitutions that differ from Premier League football.

Extra time is almost entirely gone

Extra time has been removed from virtually every stage of the Carabao Cup to ease player fatigue and fixture congestion. If a match is level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shootout — with one exception: the Wembley final. Should the final finish level after regulation, a standard 30-minute extra-time period is played before a shootout if the scores remain tied.

VAR does not apply in the early rounds

The Video Assistant Review system is not used in the opening stages of the competition. VAR only comes into operation from the semi-finals onwards, meaning the third-round ties this week will be officiated without it — a notable contrast to the Premier League, where the technology has been a source of significant controversy, including in the recent Manchester derby.

Substitution rules

Managers are permitted up to five substitutions per team, taken across three separate stoppage opportunities during regulation time. An additional concussion substitution is also available if a player suffers a suspected head injury.

The Manchester clubs’ third-round fixtures

United host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 16 September, with kick-off at 8pm. Both clubs enter at this stage because their involvement in European competition means they are exempt from the earlier rounds.

City, the holders after beating Arsenal in last season’s final under Pep Guardiola, host Norwich City on Thursday, 17 September, with kick-off at 7:30pm.