As Manchester City prepare to face Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup, some fans may have been asking how many Carabao Cup has Manchester City won? The English Football League Cup, now commercially known as the Carabao Cup, has long been one of the most fascinating competitions in English football.
However, unlike the Premier League or FA Cup, which carry historic prestige, the Carabao Cup is seen as a domestic trophy that not only tests the depth of squads but also gives lower-league teams a chance to measure themselves against the giants of English football.
For City, the competition has been both a stage for silverware and a platform to showcase their dominance in English football over the last decade. Pep Guardiola’s side go into Wednesday night’s tie as overwhelming favourites against their League One opponents, Huddersfield Town, but the bigger picture is their historic relationship with the competition.
Last season, City bowed out earlier than expected after a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on October 30 in the fourth round. That setback, however, does little to diminish their reputation as one of the most successful clubs in the tournament’s history. Therefore, the answer to the much-asked question—how many Carabao Cup has Manchester City won?—lies in a journey filled with dominance, legendary players, and remarkable records.
Manchester City’s Eight-Time Carabao Cup Glory
Manchester City have lifted the Carabao Cup a remarkable eight times, cementing themselves as one of the most decorated clubs in the competition.
Their success in the competition stretches back to 1970, when they secured their first triumph by defeating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 after extra time. Six years later, in 1976, they claimed their second League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United. After that, City had to wait decades before reasserting themselves as Carabao Cup specialists.
The modern era, particularly from 2014 onwards, saw City completely redefine the competition. Between 2014 and 2021, they lifted the trophy six times in eight years, including an unprecedented four consecutive victories from 2018 to 2021. Those triumphs not only answered the question of how many Carabao Cup has Manchester City won but also showed how central the competition became to their culture of success.
During this run, City’s performances were not just about winning silverware but also about setting standards. Pep Guardiola, often accused of underestimating domestic cups in his early managerial days, has turned the Carabao Cup into a proving ground for both seasoned stars and rising talents. It was in this competition that academy players often made their mark, while veterans like Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho etched their names into club folklore.
Only Liverpool have managed to outdo City in terms of League Cup wins. The Reds hold the record with 10 triumphs, while City’s eight titles put them second on the all-time list. Interestingly, both clubs share another unique distinction: most consecutive wins. Liverpool won the competition four years in a row from 1981 to 1984, a record that City equalled from 2018 to 2021. This joint record highlights how City’s modern dominance mirrors Liverpool’s golden era of the 1980s.
READ MORE: Top Manchester City Players Who Can Win the 2026 Ballon d’Or
In raw numbers, then, the answer to how many Carabao Cup has Manchester City won is crystal clear: eight trophies, spread across two eras of success—the 1970s and the Guardiola-dominated 2010s and 2020s.
Records and Legends: City’s Heroes in the Carabao Cup
Beyond the trophies themselves, the Carabao Cup has given City players an opportunity to shine individually. Some of the club’s biggest legends carved out special reputations in this competition.
Sergio Aguero, the legendary Argentine striker, lifted the trophy six times during his glittering career at the Etihad. From his thunderous strikes to his knack for delivering in crucial moments, Aguero was central to City’s Carabao Cup dominance.
Equally, Fernandinho stands out as perhaps the competition’s ultimate icon. The Brazilian midfielder also won the trophy six times. His leadership and tactical intelligence in midfield were also crucial in knockout scenarios.
Fernandinho is one of the players with the most appearances in the final of the competition. That joint record makes him synonymous with the Carabao Cup in modern football.
READ MORE: Top five moments during Manchester City vs Napoli in the UEFA Champions League
Both Aguero and Fernandinho won the trophy in 2014, 2016, and then in four successive years from 2018 to 2021. Their shared tally of six trophies each make them the most decorated players in the competition’s history.
Manchester City’s Carabao Cup Triumphs at a Glance:
- 1969-70: City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 after extra time
- 1975-76: Victory over Newcastle United (2-1)
- 2013-14: City defeated Sunderland 3-1
- 2015-16: Penalty shootout victory against Liverpool
- 2017-18: A dominant 3-0 win over Arsenal
- 2018-19: Beating Chelsea on penalties after a goalless draw
- 2019-20: 2-1 win over Aston Villa
- 2020-21: 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur
Each of these victories added another layer to City’s identity as a club that thrives under the bright lights of Wembley.
The Road Ahead: Can City Add to Their Carabao Cup Legacy?
As Guardiola’s men prepare to face Huddersfield Town, many fans and pundits are asking if City can extend their remarkable record in the Carabao Cup. Given their dominance in the Premier League and recent success in the Champions League, some might assume the Carabao Cup holds less importance. But for Guardiola, every trophy matters.
The competition serves multiple purposes. It allows squad rotation, gives opportunities to academy players, and still carries the prestige of a Wembley final. Moreover, it has become a habit-forming tournament for them, one where winning feels natural.
Also, their dominance over the past decade suggests that another triumph is not only possible but perhaps even likely. If they win again, it would mark their ninth Carabao Cup, putting them just one step behind Liverpool’s record of ten. For Pep Guardiola, it would also be a continuation of his extraordinary trophy haul in English football.
