Oxford United midfielder Cameron Brannagan isn’t phased by tonights Carabao Cup opposition and believes the U’s can cause an upset.
Karl Robinson’s side welcome holders Manchester City to Grenoble Road in the last eight, with a semi-final awaiting the winner.
The U’s have already knocked out Millwall before dumping Premier League outfit West Ham United in the following round, and the midfielder believes his side can take the scalp of the domestic treble holders.
He told the Oxford Mail: “People might laugh at me, but I believe we can win. I’m not just saying that.
“We’ll go into the game confident and with the ability, we’ve got we can hurt anyone. At the end of the day, it’s you versus him.
“The price tag might be a bit different and they might get a little bit more money than we do, but that’s it, there’s nothing else in it.”
Brannagan, who came through the ranks at Liverpool, made his return from injury on Saturday as the U’s 18-game unbeaten run came to an end at MK Dons.
Shandon Baptiste also returned, and there could be a place on the bench for top scorer, James Henry.
Robinson has acknowledged he would have liked a stronger squad but admitted: “it is what it is.”
He said: “I think the important thing is don’t expect us to come out of the traps to be all energy and dominating.
“The fans are going to have to be patient with us to get anything out of the game. The big message from me is to enjoy the occasion.”
It’s the second successive season the U’s have hosted the Citizens in this competition, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning their third-round clash 3-0 last time.
