United won it in 2006

By Chris,
December 20 2008

Coors Brewers have reached a deal with the Football League to extend their sponsorship of the League Cup competition until 2012. The competition will continue to be known as the ‘Carling Cup. Manchester United, winners twice in the past, are currently in the semi-finals of this year’s competition and will face Derby County over two-legs for a place at Wembley.

Coors Brewers, Carling's parent company, have sponsored the competition since 1998. It was known as the ‘Worthington Cup' from then until 2003 when it took the ‘Carling Cup' mantle.

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney was delighted with the news, saying: "This is a further boost to a competition that is currently in its best shape for many seasons.

"The Carling Cup remains a highly-coveted piece of silverware."

It's certainly true that the competition has recently gone someway to salvaging its reputation, perhaps inspired by the success of the ‘bigger' clubs in recent years.

United will be hoping to secure their third League Cup crown this season - though Derby County and a potential final against either Spurs or Burnley stand in our way.