Richard Keogh says Derby County’s players are relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup.
Derby will head to Old Trafford to take on the 12-time winners of the FA Cup in the Third Round of the world-famous competition on Friday evening (8pm kick-off).
Jose Mourinho’s side sit in second place in the Premier League and the Rams’ skipper says a trip to the Theatre of Dreams is a great test for the squad.
Derby will make the journey north full of confidence after winning five and drawing two of their last seven matches to rise up to second place in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Keogh believes the Cup clash is a nice reprieve from Derby’s league campaign – and he insists Gary Rowett’s squad are looking forward to the challenge.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Keogh said: “We go into every game trying to win and this one is no different despite the size of the challenge we face.
“We’re on a good run in the league but now we’re up against a fantastic team, with a fantastic manager, away from home.
“It is going to be tough but we’re looking forward to it. It’s nice to have a breather from the league and we can go there full of confidence.
“It’s a bit of free hit for us in that sense. We’ll go there, try to put a good performance in and see how the game goes. Once the game is over we know our focus goes back on the league and next weekend’s game at Birmingham City.
“We know that we’re up against a very, very good calibre of player in this tie so it’s important we concentrate very well.”
He added: “It’s a great game to be involved in. You want to test yourself against these types of players and that’s why we are in the game.
“Everyone will expect them to win comfortably and we’ve been in that position before ourselves. To win any game, you have to earn the right. Football is never quite as easy as just stepping onto the pitch and winning.”
United last lifted the trophy back in May 2016 after coming from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.
It proved to be Louis van Gaal’s final game in charge before parting company with the Red Devils just two days later.
United faced Derby in the Fourth Round at Pride Park Stadium that season and ran out 3-1 winners.
Keogh was named in the starting line-up that evening and felt, despite the defeat, the Rams gave a good account of themselves.
Derby have faced the likes of United, Chelsea and Liverpool in cup competitions in recent seasons and the Republic of Ireland international hopes those experiences can stand the side in good stead.
Looking back on the 2016 clash with United, he recalled: “I remember it being a tough game and I think we actually played pretty well on the night.
“We went behind and did really well to come back and equalise through George Thorne just before half-time.
“They ended up taking the game away from us in the second half but I believe at the point that we equalised we were the better team.
“That’s what top players do; they produce moments of magic in a split second. Wayne Rooney did that with the first goal, turning and firing the ball into the top corner out of nothing.
“We have to be mindful of that on Friday which is why we have to make sure we focus and concentrate fully.”
He added: “We’ve had some great cup ties in recent seasons and hopefully we can draw on all those experiences ahead of this game.
“If we can perform like we know we can do, with real confidence, then hopefully we’ll make a good game of it.”
