Yes, it is a testing season ... but if you are in a competition ... you may as well try and win it!
Alan Pardew said on Thursday morning: "Europe and the League Cup are NOT a priority."
So perhaps he was happy to see we were drawn for a tough test at Old Trafford.
We know Fergie will play his reserves, so why not go into his back yard and give his Man Utd Reserves a hiding?
Somehow I get the feeling it won't happen that way. Both managers will claim to have an injury list as long as an Irish mile ... and the stars will be rested.
Capital One Cup - Third round:
Man Utd v Newcastle
Man City v Aston Villa
MK Dons v Sunderland
West Brom v Liverpool
Crawley v Swansea
QPR v Reading
Norwich v Doncaster
Bradford v Burton
Preston v Middlesbrough
Arsenal v Coventry
Southampton v Sheff Wed
Chelsea v Wolves
Carlisle v Tottenham
Swindon v Burnley
West Ham v Wigan
Leeds v Everton
•Ties to be played week commencing September 24.