STEPHEN CARR knows all about beating Manchester United in a big League Cup tie.
Just over 26 years ago, defender Carr was part of the Tottenham team that stunned Sir Alex Ferguson‘s soon-to-be Treble winners with a 3-1 quarter-final home win.
Chris Armstrong (twice) and David Ginola scored against a weakened Red Devils — albeit one that included Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham.
But it was a great Spurs cup night at the old stadium in an era with very few of them.
Former right-back Carr, 48, told SunSport in association with William Hill: “Manchester United were very successful back then, but the League Cup wasn’t as important. Their eyes were on the treble.
“So it was a great time to play them.”
United were the last of the big guns left in the competition that season, so the draw opened up nicely for Tottenham.
They took full advantage. After sneaking past Wimbledon in the semi-finals, 10-man Tottenham — following Justin Edinburgh’s red card — saw off Leicester at Wembley with Allan Nielsen’s late winner.
But today, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are unlikely to have it that easy in the latter stages.
They might have dumped out League Cup specialists Manchester City but Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are waiting in the wings if they see off United.
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Yet Carr — who played every minute of that 1999 final — reckons Postecoglou can keep his second-season promise and lead Tottenham to a first trophy since 2008.
He said: “They can definitely win the cup, but it’s a very strong line-up.
“People say the top teams don’t care about this competition — but there are some massive clubs still in there.
“There’s no reason why Spurs can’t win it. Postecoglou said he always wins a trophy in his second season, so fingers crossed he does.
“Tottenham can beat anybody on their day. They’re unbelievable, especially at home. If they play like we know they can, they can turn over Manchester United.
“The problem is they’ve struggled getting back-to-back results.
“They get an unbelievable result like against Manchester City and then one like Ipswich. They’re so up and down.”
Carr spent 11 years at Tottenham from 1993 to 2004, when they finished between seventh and 15th.
So the cups were often seen as a welcome break.
During that 1998-1999 season, the 11 games Spurs won in the two domestic cups — they also reached the FA Cup semi-finals — was as many as they managed in the Premier League.
And Carr reckons the cups could favour Spurs again this season, saying: “There’s a gap between cup games so out of all the teams left in the competition, cup football suits them most because they’re not as consistent.
“The other big boys go on long winning runs, whereas Tottenham don’t.”
During December, Spurs play nine times across three competitions.
Along with the League Cup, they are in the Europa League — as well as challenging for the Prem’s top four.
But Carr believes their 17-year trophy drought means this last-eight tie is the biggest of the lot.
He added: “It’ll be a big statement to beat Manchester United. They are starting to play now. It’s not the same team who were struggling under Erik ten Hag.
“Going into the festive period, this is the most important game for Spurs. Fans would rather go to Wembley and win a trophy than get back into the Champions League.”
