Charlton captain George Dobson reveals he wants to swap shirts with Brazil star Casemiro in Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United

Charlton captain George Dobson says he won’t be left feeling star-struck when he goes up against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

But the Addicks midfielder has admitted there is one Red Devils player’s shirt he’d like to get his hands on when the side’s meet.

Charlton are set to travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday night for the first time since the London club’s last season in the Premier League in 2006/07.

After causing a major cup upset against Brighton in the last round, the League One outfit are now the only non-top flight and only London side left in the competition.

But skipper Dobson – who has been a silver lining in an other wise turbulent season for the Addicks – doesn’t think he’ll be overawed by the occasion, playing against one of the biggest clubs in world football.

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder came through the ranks at West Ham, playing with Declan Rice in the Irons’ academy and facing Marcus Rashford, so he’s used to being up close to some of football’s biggest names.

“Obviously it’s a completely different game to what we’re normally used to, but it is just a game of football at the end of the day,” he told talkSPORT.

“Probably after the game you’re probably going to ask for a shirt, but when you’re playing we’re going to be going out there thinking, ‘This is our chance to make history, this is our chance to cause that major upset’.

“So no, I don’t personally think I’ll feel different to any other game, but it’s obviously just going to be a special evening.”

Whilst Dobson has had a strong season personally, the Addicks have endured a rollercoaster 2022/23 campaign so far, with summer appointment Ben Garner being sacked in December after the club were left flirting with the League One relegation zone.

But under new manager Dean Holden, Charlton appear to have a new lease of life after beating Portsmouth and Lincoln, and the 9,000 fans following them up to Old Trafford for a mid-week fixture reflects that.

Dobson thinks the trip to The Theatre of Dreams is the perfect reward for the fan base, as well as his friends and family.

“I’ve got 30 people coming tomorrow and I’ve normally got about three or four – that shows the United draw,” he laughed.

“It’s obviously going to be such a special evening with such a huge following, it’s an atmosphere everyone’s going to want to be a part of. It’s going to be a brilliant occasion.”

The former Walsall ace is hoping the Addicks can emulate the giant killing Sheffield Wednesday and Stevenage pulled off in the FA Cup against Premier League opposition at the weekend.

But whilst he says Dean Holden’s side are focused on giving a good account of themselves, Dobson revealed there is another thing he wants to do at Old Trafford – and that’s to get fellow defensive midfielder Casemiro’s shirt. 

“I’m not sure [who I want to swap shirts with] I haven’t thought about it too much,” he said.

“I’d say probably in the position I’m in [in the team], probably Casemiro would be the one I’m interested in.

“Obviously five-time Champions League winner and the player he is, yeah, he might be one I’ll end up going for.”

You can listen to all the action of the Addicks’ trip to Old Trafford live on talkSPORT, with coverage starting from 7pm.