Derby v Manchester United preview: Michael Carrick set for United return
Friday 29 January 2016 20:11, UK
Manchester United will be looking to continue their impressive FA Cup record against Derby when they meet in the fourth round on Friday.
United have won their last six FA Cup meetings with the Rams, scoring 19 goals, and could welcome back Michael Carrick after four games out with a knee injury.
However, the visitors will be without full-back Matteo Darmian, who is sidelined after colliding with Southampton's Shane Long last week, while midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) and defender Phil Jones (ankle) are still out.
Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are long-term absentees.
Derby head coach Paul Clement can pick from virtually a full squad, with new signing Marcus Olsson eligible to play at the iPro Stadium having not featured in the competition for previous club Blackburn, although the Sweden international is likely to be on the bench with Stephen Warnock keeping his place at left-back.
Clement, still without long-term absentee Will Hughes (knee), could make some changes following the 4-1 league loss at Burnley on Monday and has Craig Bryson, Jeff Hendrick, Johnny Russell and Chris Baird vying for recalls.
Despite Louis van Gaal's reported troubles at United, Clement believes the Dutchman remains one of the most revered managers of the modern era.
Ahead of the biggest game of his own brief managerial career, Clement will be calling another recent great - his close friend Carlo Ancelotti - for some advice.
He said: "First of all, I have those close to me at the club, that's what my assistants are for. But I'm in regular contact with Carlo. I've not spoken to him for a while but if I really need him, I know he will be there for me.
"Will I speak to him before this game? Yes, I think I will do. He's super calm. He will tell me to work with the players, get close to the players and ignore everything else.
"He always used to say 'control what you are in control of'. So that's what I'll try to do."
Paul Merson's prediction
This is a big game. Derby are not on a good run, but you dread to think what would happen at Manchester United if they were to lose. They don't blow teams away and this seems to be the best time for Derby to play them.
United can't afford to lose this game and they don't need a replay, either. But I don't see them losing. Chelsea have been to Derby for the last couple of years and won, and I think United will draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Opta stats
Derby haven't won an FA Cup tie against Manchester United since February 1897.
The Rams last beat a top-flight side in the FA Cup in January 1998 (vs Southampton) . However, they haven't beaten a top-flight side when out of the top league since 1984, winning 2-1 against Norwich.
The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 44 FA Cup games against lower-league opposition, falling at home to Leeds in January 2010 (W36 D7).
Derby have lost just one of their last 11 competitive home matches (W7 D3 L1), although this defeat came in their last game there - 0-3 versus Birmingham City.
Manchester United have won just seven of their last 22 competitive matches (W7 D9 L6) and have scored less than a goal a game on average during this run (21 goals in 22 games).
