Tickets sales for the Carabao Cup game at Old Trafford are close to filling the East Stand

Just shy of 5,000 Colchester United supporters have already bought tickets for the U's Quarter-Final clash against Manchester United - and there’s still three weeks left to go.

Colchester United Chairman, Robbie Cowling, is really grateful for the magnificent response from the club's fans but is hoping that the club can fill as many of the 8,450 seat that have been made available as possible.

Speaking to his media team, Robbie explained: “With it being so close to Christmas and so far away, I wasn’t sure we would sell so many tickets but now that we have I hope it encourages even more Col U fans to come along to what will be a fantastic night for the club."

"I know how important the support was to the team when we beat Crystal Palace, especially during the penalty shootout. I would imagine that the atmosphere in amongst the Colchester United fans on that evening when the teams come out onto the pitch is going to be unbelievable.

"Whilst the score is 0-0, knowing we can beat anyone if it goes to penalties, the tension is going to be almost unbearable.

"What it will be like if we take the lead or we go on and win the game........Well that would be the best football moment ever.”

The image below shows the Tier 2 area and the seats coloured orange are those that have been sold so far.