The Football League Cup 2008–09, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 49th season of the Football League Cup, a knockout competition for England's top 92 football clubs. The winners qualified for the third qualifying round of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, if not already qualified for European competition. Manchester United won the competition by defeating defending champions Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in the final on 1 March 2009.