COLCHESTER United’s leading goalscorer Luke Norris says getting the chance to pit their wits against Manchester United at Old Trafford is ‘a dream draw’.

The U’s will travel to take on the five-time League Cup winners next month, looking to reach the last four of the competition for the first time in their history.

Norris scored Colchester’s opener in their 3-1 fourth-round win at Crawley Town on Tuesday night, which sealed their progress into the last eight.

And although he acknowledges that there are plenty of other important games to be played between now and then, the U’s striker says the Carabao Cup tie is one to look forward to.

Norris said: “We got the draw we sort of dream of really.

“You can’t really beat Old Trafford – we’re in League Two and we’ll be playing against one of the best teams in the country at probably the best ground in the country.

“We’re all football fans at the end of the day.

“Some of the lads even support Manchester United and we would go and watch them on a Saturday, if we could.

“It’s great for us – it doesn’t happen too often in your career in this sort of league so we’re really looking forward to it.

“We have a big game on Saturday and there are so many games between now and the Manchester United game and a lot of points to pick up.

“A lot of things can change but it’ll be pushed to the back and then when it comes to it, we’ll be ready.”

Norris is hoping to be fit for Colchester’s trip to play Mansfield Town tomorrow in League Two, after limping out of their win at Crawley.

The former Swindon Town striker suffered a groin injury in the win at the Broadfield Stadium and underwent a scan on the ailment on Wednesday.

Norris has hit the net six times so far this season and is hoping to be fit to keep his place in Colchester’s starting line-up at Field Mill tomorrow, with competition for places currently fierce within John McGreal’s squad.

He added: “It was nice to get the goal (at Crawley) – it’s been a long time coming.

“Last few games I’ve felt good so hopefully it’ll continue.

“This team has got a lot of quality in it – a lot more than last year and I think that’s sort of shown with our squad depth.

“If someone isn’t doing it, there’s someone else who is more than capable and that bodes well for the future.

“It’s a tight-knit group and everyone gets on.

“There’s not one person who doesn’t like another person.

“There are a lot of changing rooms I’ve been in when it’s like poison.

“But being here there’s absolutely not one bad egg in the squad, which is great to have.”