COLCHESTER United general manager Tim Waddington says their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Manchester United will be ‘historic milestone’ for the club.

The U’s will travel to Old Trafford to play Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side next month hoping to create another cup upset and book a place in the last four of the competition for the first time in their history.

Colchester are set to take on the likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire in December.

They are set to make a financial windfall from the tie, with it likely to be screened live on TV in front of an audience of millions.

While the Carabao Cup does not offer the vast riches of the FA Cup, it can still be a significant money-spinner and Colchester will hit the jackpot when they travel to Old Trafford, benefitting from money generated by gate receipts and television deals.

United's average attendance this season is 73,540 and when they played neighbours Rochdale in the third round on September 25, the crowd was 58,313.

But Waddington insists first and foremost, the game is one for club and fans alike to savour.

Waddington said: “This is an unmissable game for the fans and I’m sure it will be a memorable occasion for everyone.

“It will be lucrative for us there’s no doubt about it.

“But the more important thing for me is that we are creating a historic milestone for our club and our fans.

“It’s about us showcasing what we’re doing as a club on a global platform.

“The year of 2019 will already be remembered as the year that Colchester United performed so magnificently in the League Cup and beaten the likes of Spurs and Crystal Palace against the odds.

“You need a little bit of luck along the way but you earn that and now we have the chance to play Manchester United, at Old Trafford.

“It would have been lovely to have got Manchester United at home but it’s a superb draw for us.

“There’s arguably no bigger club in world football than Manchester United in terms of brand.

“They’re a huge club but it’s a great opportunity for us to show what we’re all about.”

Colchester have already made a huge impact in this season’s competition, stunning Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace by knocking them out of the competition.

The U’s players have really shone on the national stage and Waddington feels the Manchester United game will be an opportunity for them to once again showcase everything they stand for, on a global scale.

“We feel we’re doing it the right way at Colchester United,” said Waddington.

“We are what we are and we try and do things in a certain way and stick to what we believe in.

“We have some incredibly talented players at our football club and it will be a great chance for them to showcase their talents, on the biggest stage.

“I’m so pleased for John McGreal and Steve Ball who have worked so hard and it’s a great reward for them and everyone else.

“I’m also delighted for the chairman (Robbie Cowling).

“It shows that what we’re doing does pay dividends.

“We’re going to be on the global platform so what better opportunity to showcase what we do.”