Holders Spurs and United kept apart

Holders Tottenham Hotspur will play Burnley while Manchester United face Derby County in the semi-finals of the League Cup following the draw made yesterday.

The prospects of a first cup final between Spurs and United, who have appeared in 39 major domestic cup finals between them, were enhanced after they were both drawn against opposition from the Championship (second division).

Spurs, who beat Watford in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, will be at home in the first leg against Owen Coyle's men who will be looking to knock out their fourth London side in the competition having disposed of Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal in previous rounds.

Derby, relegated from the Premier League last season but now bidding to reach their first major domestic final since winning the FA Cup in 1946, will host United in the first leg.

Derby's 1-0 victory over Stoke in the quarter-finals on Tuesday saw them reach the semi-finals of a major cup competition for the first time since 1976, when they were beaten by Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The draw will not fill County boss Paul Jewell with confidence however, as a manager he has lost every match against United with Bradford, Wigan and Derby, including the 2006 League Cup final, when Sir Alex Ferguson's side beat Wigan 4-0.

First-leg ties will be played in the week beginning Jan. 5 with the return legs taking place in the week beginning Jan. 19.

The final is at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 1.