Who can embrace the challenge and not be daunted by the prospect of pitting their wits against one of the world’s best sides?
That is what Gary Rowett is looking to see when Derby County travel to Old Trafford on Friday evening to take on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in a mouth-watering Emirates FA Cup Third Round battle, kick-off: 8pm.
A return to the Premier League continues to be the Rams’ aim – an achievement Rowett, himself, is hoping to lead the club to – and with that in mind, he is looking forward to seeing which of his players can handle the pressure of playing at a stadium like the Theatre of Dreams and against a side steeped in as much history as the Red Devils.
“We will go there to try and play and show no fear,” he said.
“It’s a great challenge for the players – one we are going to learn an awful lot from about the players and whether they can step up and take the responsibility in a game of that magnitude.
“It’s a great tool to see which of our players can handle it. We’re aspiring to play against teams like Manchester United every week so if we go fearful and show we can’t handle that type of game then that’s a bit of a worry when it comes to what we are trying to achieve this season.
“We’re going to be very competitive. I’m not going to be too bravo about the game, because it is a daunting task to face a team like that away from home.
“There’s no pressure of picking up three points and, if anything, I think it means that we will go there more relaxed and allow us to play with a little more freedom.
“These are the games that we aspire to be facing week in, week out. As a player and a manager, you have to embrace these challenges.
“Who wouldn’t want to pit their wits in this type of game? Hopefully, it will be a snapshot of what this club is going to be doing in the future.”
Above that, Rowett has dismissed the game as an ‘occasion’.
Instead, he is solely focused on ‘doing a job’ and returning to Derby with a positive result.
The Rams’ manager has his own memories of facing the Red Devils the player – both good and bad – and says any chance of achieving a good result on Friday night is very much dependant on how his squad handle the ‘moment’.
“It was my home debut if I recall,” Rowett said as he spoke about his first start as a player coming against United. “It’s so far away that I can’t even remember it!
“I do remember thinking to myself that it was great that I was playing against Manchester United. I was only 17 and I challenged Bryan Robson for a header in midfield and, I think, I won it.
“I’m sure he would say otherwise if he could remember it, but I was thinking to myself, ‘wow, I have won a header against Manchester United’!
“Because it is such an amazing club, one steeped in history, any young player will remember those times.
“As for this game, however, is it an occasion? No it’s not, it’s an FA Cup tie between two clubs. It’s not an occasion for us, this is a job and we’re going there to try and be as competitive as we can.
“I’ve been to Old Trafford as a player. I remember going when Leicester were top of the league when it was a top of the table clash after 10 matches and we got absolutely thrashed!
“It’s a great place to go and play, but that’s only the case if you can handle the game and the moment. That’s a big challenge for any team, let alone a Championship one.”
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