3/1 To Win
Scott Carson and Derby County will return to Old Trafford for the second time this year and the Rams ‘keeper is eager to put in a solid performance for the “wonderful occasion”.
Derby will travel to face the Premier League side for a meeting in Round Three of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, kick-off: 8pm.
The Rams were last at Old Trafford in January in an entertaining FA Cup Third Round clash between the sides. It looked as though the match was heading for a replay after a sensational shift put in by the Rams players, in particular, Carson who made eight saves, including free kick efforts by Juan Mata and Paul Pogba.
However, former Derby loanee, Jesse Lingard scored in the 84th minute before Romelu Lukaku added another just before the final whistle.
The 33-year-old hailed the sides character in that meeting and said the key for the upcoming one is to do the same with a performance they can be proud of.
“It’s always a wonderful occasion to play at Old Trafford,” Carson told RamsTV.
“We did it nine months ago and I think then we conducted ourselves really well. I think that is what it is about, for us it is about going there and putting a performance in that we are proud of.
“If that is not good enough to get us a result, then we have to hold our hands up and say they are blessed with world-class players and we just aren’t good enough.
“It’s just about putting on a good performance and coming away from it with a lot of confidence to go back into the league.”
Derby have arguably played their best football in their last two fixtures in what has been a solid start to the season.
The goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers and the stunning 3-1 victory over Brentford showcased their high work-rate in and out of possession and their pressing football that created an abundance of chances. That is what Carson hopes the team will carry forward.
“On Saturday, after the first 50 seconds it was the energy, the press, the football we were playing and the amount of times we got into their box and the chances, it was a pleasure for me to sit back and watch it.
“I think the manager will want us to play similar to how we played against Blackburn and Brentford and hopefully we can keep that momentum going.
“I think those performances have to be our standard performances if we want to get promoted and if we are going to do well at Old Trafford, that is a minimum.”
“The pressure is all on Manchester United, they are at home and we are a Championship side. Hopefully we can go there and play with a lot of freedom.”
The former Premier League stopper has had plenty of trips to Old Trafford during his career, as have a handful of the more experienced Rams players. Carson believes that the youngsters on the team will not be fazed about stepping up.
He explained that the mix of young talent and veterans on the team has been a positive blend so far this season and will continue to be a factor on Tuesday.
“We have got a lot of energy with the young lads that have come in and we have some older heads in the team who can hopefully settle things down when they need to and keep giving the young lads advice,” he added.
“You only have to look at the start of the season what the young lads have had and the impact they have made.
“I don’t think they will be fearful of going there, I think they will be excited and it is another game where they can go and show everyone that they are ready to be playing at the highest level.
“It is just another opportunity to make people even more aware of the impact they are having for us.”
