The Derby County manager Nigel Clough is hoping for another shock result against the Premier League champions in tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie.
Just over five weeks ago, Clough, who had been appointed to manager the Rams the day before, watched from the Pride Park stands as Derby beat Manchester United 1-0 in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.
It was a weakened United side that played that night, and although Derby were defeated 4-2 in the second leg at Old Trafford, they still caused Ferguson’s side problems – Clough’s side scored three in total against a United defence that has not been penetrated in the league since 8 November.
Although Ferguson has conceded the FA Cup is low on his list of priorities as his team chase five trophies, Clough is convinced he will not want to be embarrassed again.
“We showed we could cause them problems over the two matches, and certainly we did down here,” said Clough. “Defensively in the first half at Old Trafford we weren’t very good and that is why we lost the tie at Old Trafford. But going forward we created chances, scoring three goals in the two games, which is a rarity against United these days.
“Certainly, I think the home leg will have a bearing, even though there are bigger competitions in their eyes, given the Champions League and Premier League.
“I think they will be a bit more cautious. If they had come here and won two or three nil, he [Ferguson] would probably think he could put the same side out and do it again. But there will be a little doubt there, and in the players’ minds as well we hope.
“All we have to do is relax and play. There’s no point getting too nervous, too het up, and think we’re playing Manchester United, the best team in the country, the world. We just have to say ‘Hold on a minute’, calm ourselves down and play our stuff as well. It’s very important we do that.
“We’re preparing exactly the same for them as for anybody, the same as it will be for Blackpool on Wednesday – which I hasten to add is a more important game for us.”
The Rams are without the suspended Jay McEveley, whilst Luke Varney is sidelined with a groin strain.
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