CARLING CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG
Manchester United v Derby County (2000 GMT)
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606: DEBATE
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By Jonathan Stevenson
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1955: There are around 9,000 Derby fans at Old Trafford tonight. They will be making an awful lot of noise, too, as they try and roar their heroes on to an unlikely victory. Remember - it is 63 years since Derby reached a major cup final.
1952: Make no mistake, Fergie will want to win this one. He's won everything there is to win, but he's only bagged two League Cups during his astonishing United career. As he looks across to the opposition dug-out tonight, he'll probably be aware that Cloughie's dad bagged four in his day. That was when everyone wanted to win them, too.
1949: "Any other United fans terrified by seeing Neville at centre-back again? Ferguson thought he played brilliantly there last time, I thought he was abysmal. Here's hoping I'm wrong."
BenchesterUnited on 606
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1946: "We know we're 90 minutes away from the final, but we're going to do an awful lot of defending tonight and we'll have to do it well. I want the players to relax and not be over-awed by it. They shouldn't need too much incentive for this one."
Derby County manager Nigel Clough
1943: "Just arrived at OT, should be called OTT the number of Muppets taking photos of it. Freezing my centre-forwards off waiting for my brother on a bus from Derby. Get a move on brethren! I can't take these tourists or the cold much longer!"
Super Simon, Super Derby fan, via text on 81111
1940: So, Ben Foster makes only his third appearance of the season, and his first since 3 December, in goal for Manchester United, in one of six changes by boss Sir Alex Ferguson from Saturday's win over Bolton. Nani, Darron Gibson and Ryan Giggs join Anderson in midfield and Rafael is at right-back.
Derby make four changes from the side that suffered a disappointing weekend defeat by QPR, with Gary Teale and Steve Davies returning to the starting line-up along with Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart, who are back after suspension.
1939: MANCHESTER UNITED v DERBY COUNTY LINE-UPS
Man Utd: Foster, Rafael Da Silva, Neville, Evans, O'Shea, Nani, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Welbeck, Tevez.
Subs: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Tosic, Scholes, Fletcher, Possebon, Chester.
Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Todd, Stewart, Teale, Addison, Green, Davies, Commons, Hulse.
Subs: Bywater, Savage, Villa, Barnes, Nyatanga, Barazite, Hines.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
1937: "We're treating it as a semi-final second leg. We want to get to Wembley, it's that simple. The first leg was disappointing, so tonight on our own ground, we expect to do the basics better. This team was always going to play."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
1935: By the way, there's an FA Cup third round replay tonight as well, as Doncaster take on Cheltenham for a place in the fourth round against Aston Villa. Derby play in the fourth round on Friday, though I can't quite remember who they were drawn against...
Live text - Doncaster v Cheltenham
1933: "It's a long, long time since Derby have been to Wembley," says new Rams boss Nigel Clough. Ignoring their Championship play-off final win against West Brom in May 2007 (and a couple of other non-major finals), he's right. The Rams last appeared in a major final in 1946, when they bashed Charlton 4-1 after extra-time. Derby had the genius Raich Carter in their ranks that day, one of my granddad's favourite footballers ever (yes, despite that, he is a Forest fan).
1930: Stevo's Predo:
Manchester United 3-0 Derby County
1928: "Let's get some common sense involved with this Manchester City thing. Spending £100m on one of the best players in the world? Come on. Build your team up gradually, that's the only way to do it."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Graham Taylor
1926: "Perhaps a mention for Sir Matt Busby, on the 15th anniversary of his death today? I'll go for a 4-0 United win, our defence is rock solid right now and it would take something special, like Commons from the first leg, for Derby to score. Their best hope is for a 0-0."
Chris, United fan, via text on 81111
1922: Young Nigel has not wasted any time slaughtering his players, after their 2-0 home defeat by QPR on Saturday. "The lads at Burton were better at doing certain things," said Clough. "No player in the lower leagues would have made those basic mistakes on Saturday. I have been in a state of shock for the last 48 hours." Has he gone too early, or is this the first sign of classic Clough psychology?
Derby 0-2 QPR
1918: "I say 3-0 to United, but the team I'm seeing I don't believe are capable of that. And if we lose then I'll get laughed at by tons of people at school, made worse by the fact I'm in Derby."
Kezza, Man Utd fan, via text on 81111
Perish the thought, but maybe you should support Derby?
1915: "Even as a United fan I have to say I feel slightly torn tonight. If United win this tournament after a week or two it'll be largely forgotten. On the other hand, the thought of watching a Clough lead out Derby at Wembley is enough to stir some emotion in any football fan."
Desolation_row on 606
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1911: So, where's your money? Will United's kids run Derby ragged and seal their place in the first showpiece event of the season? Or can the Rams belie their woeful league form once again and hold on to their slender lead to reach the final? Tell me, by texting on 81111, and getting involved in the debate on 606. Otherwise, I'm not going to know, am I? Bonus points if you're at OT tonight, too.
Join the debate on 606
1908: I'm hearing that Gary Neville plays at centre-back tonight and Carlos Tevez and Danny Wellbeck play up front for Manchester United. New boy Zoran Tosic is on the bench. Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart are back for Derby. Full teams as soon as we have them.
1907: But back to football. Tonight, it's David v Goliath II, as world champions Manchester United host the 20th best team in the Championship, Derby County, in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford. David, in the shape of Kris Commons' 25-yard belter in the first leg at Pride Park two weeks ago, has the advantage, with Wembley awaiting the victors.
Derby 1-0 Man Utd
1904: Of course it would be inappropriate for me not to mention the big news outside the world of sport today (yes, that world exists. I'm surprised too) - the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Truly monumental times to be alive, aren't they? Check out the coverage our news crew have put together - immense.
Historic moment as Obama sworn in
1900: Today is a day that history will never, ever forget. For eternity, Tuesday 20th January will be inextricably linked forever with hope, freedom and justice. A lone voice speaks out, a principled and honest man standing up for what he believes in. The world looks forward to a brighter future.
But enough about Kaka. Anyone up for some cup football?
Kaka: 'Why I'm staying at AC Milan'
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