Carling Cup open thread: Like Rams to the Slaughter

Don't be scared, Carlos, it's only Derby! Oh... yeah, that.

Is there anyone on this planet that imagines Derby can unseat the high-priced, high-flying sulk machines of Manchester United? If so, please step forward. Burnley showed us last night just what going up 1-0 before half-time will get you: a 4-goal spanking from the restart. When a mediocre striker from Zenit is scoring goals, you know you're done for.

That said, it's Derby's turn to nip at the ankles of a proud EPL behemoth.

New manager Brian Nigel Clough isn't quite ready to take over, meaning that academy boss David Lowe is in charge tonight. Not that it'll matter; while United will probably rest a ton of first-teamers, this evening feels like one of those 3-0, Danny-Welbeck-scores-an-absurdly-brilliant-goal-with-five-minutes-remaining games. It's unshakeable.

Rams striker Rob Hulse is bravely playing the media game, insisting that all the pressure is on United to beat them mercilessly over two legs (although really, a one-leg massacre and a 1-0 at Old Trafford will do the job):

We are the underdogs and we have got nothing to lose whereas United are expected to win, so we can just enjoy pitting our wits against some of the best players in the world. Being the favourites and being expected to win brings with it an added pressure. We have got to try and take advantage of that and make it difficult for them and if we can play and get the crowd behind us, we can give anyone a game. It is a cup game so you never know what could happen, but at the same time we know that whatever team they bring it will be packed full of experienced internationals and great players."

Indeed Rob, this one's truly up in the air.

Come watch Fergie's reserves with us after the jump, with a possible Rodrigo Possebon sighting!

Lineups:
Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Todd, Nyatanga, Camara, Sterjovski, Green, Addison, Commons, Hulse, Davies.

Subs: Bywater, Savage, Teale, Barazite, Dickinson, Powell, Hines.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Nani, Tevez, Welbeck.

Subs: Amos, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Fletcher, Possebon.

Sad that Rodrigo only makes the bench, although young Welbeck's primed for his late, meaningless wonder strike. For Derby, a whole bunch of players I've never heard of who are charged with the task of protecting poor former United keeper Roy Carroll.

All joking aside, Phil Dowd's in charge, adding a whole new layer of chaos to the proceedings. Seriously: he's rubbish.