Derby County fans could be forgiven for being less than optimistic when Sir Alex Ferguson brought Manchester United to Pride Park Stadium for a League Cup semi-final tie in January 2009.
The Rams, who were on a run of just one win in their last nine league games, faced the reigning English, European and World champions.
As it happened, Kris Commons’ thunderous winner secured a first leg lead and although United fought back to win the return leg and reach Wembley Stadium, this remains one of the truly great nights at Pride Park.
So, what happened next for the players that started that night?
Goalkeeper – Roy Carroll
The former Northern Ireland international spent five years at Old Trafford earlier in his career, and he embarked on something of a globetrotting mission after his departure from the Rams.
Spells in Denmark, Greece and a return to England with Notts County followed, and he’s now back in his home country with current Northern Ireland Premiership champions Linfield.
Defender – Paul Connolly
The right-back joined Derby in the summer of 2008 and he quickly established himself in the side, being appointed captain by Paul Jewell.
After Jewell departed though, Nigel Clough handed the captaincy to Robbie Savage and he left for Leeds United in 2010. He now plays his football for Bangor City in the Welsh Premier League.
Defender – Miles Addison
A product of the Rams’ youth system, Addison won the club’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2008/09 season and he earned a single England Under-21 cap that same year.
He went on to move to Bournemouth after a successful loan spell on the south coast, before moving on to Peterborough United and Kilmarnock, who he left in the summer.
Defender – Lewin Nyatanga
The win against United was one of Nyatanga’s final appearances for the Rams, as he moved on to Bristol City in the summer of 2009.
After his release from Barnsley in 2017, it was reported that Nyatanga had retired from playing in February 2018.
Defender – Andy Todd
Todd had just returned from a loan spell at Northampton when United came to Pride Park, and the season turned out to be his last in the East Midlands as he made the long journey to Australia to join Perth Glory.
He returned in 2011 for short spells at Oldham Athletic and Hereford United, and he last served as First Team Coach under Gary Bowyer at Blackpool.
Defender – Mo Camara
Camara’s contract was cancelled less than a month after the first leg, with the former Guinea international joining St Mirren and then Torquay United before ending his playing career.
Following his retirement, Camara took on a scouting role with the Rams. He is currently a scout for the opponents that night, Manchester United.
Midfielder – Paul Green
Green enjoyed success in the years following the United tie, as he won his first Republic of Ireland cap, and he went on to score on his full international debut against Algeria.
Like Connolly, he eventually left for Leeds in 2012, before spells at Ipswich Town, Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic, and he is currently playing for Crewe Alexandra in League Two.
Midfielder – Kris Commons
The scorer of an absolute wondergoal on the night, Commons soon attracted the attention of Scottish giants Celtic and he thrived at Parkhead, winning five Premiership titles in six seasons.
He scored 32 goals in all competitions during the 2013/14 season and was deservedly recognised with the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year award.
Forward – Steve Davies
Injuries blighted Davies’ time with the Rams and he departed in 2012 for Bristol City, where he spent a single season before joining Blackpool.
A loan move to Sheffield United followed and he remained in Yorkshire with Bradford City until 2016 when he made the switch to Rochdale, but he is now without a club after his release in the summer of 2018.
Forward – Rob Hulse
The target man enjoyed a successful spell at Derby and he went on to score 18 goals that season to help the club to Championship safety.
12 more goals were scored in the 2009/10 season and QPR came calling, and he won promotion with the Hoops in 2011, although he barely featured in their debut Premier League campaign.
Forward – Mile Sterjovski
The former Australian international enjoyed his first spell in England with the Rams, but he departed at the end of the season to return to his home country with Perth Glory.
He then spent a short time in the Chinese Super League before ending his career with Central Coast Mariners.
Manchester United: Kuszczak; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea; Anderson (Carrick, 74’), Scholes (Ronaldo, 63’), Gibson; Nani, Tevez, Welbeck (Rooney, 63’).
