GEORGE Burley will get the chance to enjoy Manchester's Christmas lights next week.

The Ipswich manager takes his side to the city twice in the space of four days.

First of all they face City next Tuesday after last night's Worthington Cup quarter-final was abandoned after 21 minutes following torrential rain.

The following Saturday Ipswich have the small matter of a match against Premiership leaders United.

Both Burley and his counterpart Joe Royle probably played on worse pitches during their playing careers, but neither manager disagreed with referee Graham Poll's decision to call a halt to the game.

Burley said: "The conditions were impossible and dangerous and there was a chance of someone getting hurt.

"I have every sympathy for our fans, who have made a long journey, but safety of the players has to come first."

Royle said: "It would be very easy to condemn the referee but I am not going to argue.

"It was a hard decision to make and I have every sympathy with the referee."

The winners will face First Division Birmingham in the semi-finals.