Neville: Carling Cup important for big clubs

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says Carling Cup glory is proving attractive for the top clubs in England.

The ex-England full-back, who now works as a television and media pundit, was delighted that the quarter-final draw of the tournament paired Arsenal with Manchester City and Chelsea with Liverpool.

Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Championship duo Cardiff City and Crystal Palace are also still alive in the competition.

Neville won the Carling Cup twice during his long career with United, and said the presence of England’s bigger clubs in the latter stages proved it is something worth winning.

“I have said before that the Carling Cup was an important competition despite its detractors, and the quarter-final draw, with heavyweights pitted against each other, proves the point,” he wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.

“You could see Kenny Dalglish’s elation after Liverpool beat Stoke on Wednesday. Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas celebrated his team’s win at Everton the same evening as if he had won the World Cup.”

“Everyone saw how important it was for Manchester United to progress at Aldershot after the derby defeat against Manchester City and we all know Arsenal are desperate to win a major trophy after six years.”

“City also showed how seriously they are taking it with five goals at Wolves, so make no mistake; the Carling Cup is making a big impact.”

“Should United and City end up meeting in the semi-finals or final, the Carling Cup could have the biggest influence of all on the Premier League title race.”