Sky Sports confirm live coverage of Cobblers' cup clash with Manchester United

The tie will take place at Sixfields on Wednesday, September 21, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The Cobblers normally play midweek home matches on a Tuesday, but the tie will be played 24 hours later as United have a live televised Premier League match at Watford the previous Sunday (Sept 18).

The match being televised is an extra financial boost for the Cobblers, and manager Rob Page has welcomed the extra income that the early season EFL Cup run has provided.

Town have already won at Championship side Barnsley in round one and against Premier League side West Brom at Sixfields in round two, and the Cobblers boss said: “I am really pleased for the club, because from a financial viewpoint it certainly helps.

“Not that we have to have it, because in my opinion we have a fantastic chairman, and I think the supporters understand that anyway.

“From the 12 months the club has had from almost going into administration, to being pulled out of trouble and being made financially safe, this game does help with the cashflow, of course it does.

“But we don’t have to rely on it, that is the good thing.”

So, with this extra income from the clash against Jose Mourinho’s men, is Page hopeful of the playing budget getting a little bit of an increase before the transfer window closes next Wednesday?

It seems he may be having a little chat with chairman Kelvin Thomas.

“No doubt there are conversations to be had, and if there is the opportunity to add to the squad because of it then of course we will,” said the Town manager.

“It might be January, but that is why cup competitions are so important to lower league clubs.

“Look at Accrington on Wednesday night, I am chuffed for them, and the financial reward they are going to get for winning that game (they go to West Ham in round three) will certainly help them.

“It is great for lower league clubs, and we will make the most of it.

“Kelvin has come in and made sure that financially the club is stable, and we hadn’t planned it in to have a fantastic run in the cup, which is sensible management from the top.

“Now that we have got a good run going it is a bonus for us.

“Whether the finances come back into the club and we feel the benefit on the pitch, or whether we use it to stabilise the club, that that is something that the board of directors and the chairman will decide to make sure we don’t jeopardise the club in the future.

“That is good management, this cup run is a bonus.”

The decision to show the Manchester United game means the Cobblers will be live on television twice in the space of a little over two weeks.

Their Sky Bet League One date with Milton Keynes Dons is also being shown on Sky Sports on Sunday, September 4 (ko midday).