Vidic - Cup no distraction

Vidic: Eager to win

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Nemanja Vidic insists the Carling Cup is not considered a distraction by Manchester United ahead of a semi-final date with Derby County.

The competition has been regarded as the least important domestic trophy to win in recent seasons, although United prevailed in 2006.

United are favourites to lift this year's renewal after overcoming Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers en route to the last four.

And Vidic confirmed the recently-crowned world champions are looking to add the Carling Cup to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet this season.

No messing about

"This is not a distraction," he said. "We want to win.

"We have a big squad, so we need a lot of games to keep everyone fit.

"This is an important time of the season. Injuries can happen at any time - which is why we need everyone to be ready when the big games come around.

"We also know there is a trophy at the end of it.

"Maybe the Carling Cup is not as big as the Premier League or even the FA Cup. But it is still a trophy, which is what Manchester United thrives on.

"We are in the semi-finals now, so there will be no messing about."

Wednesday's game, live on Sky Sports 1, pits United against a Derby side struggling in the Championship, but Vidic says the Rams will be shown respect.

"We cannot get drawn into thinking Derby may be a good side or a bad one," said Vidic.

"The opposition will always want to play well against Manchester United."