Clough believes a break from the league is good for Derby

Derby boss Nigel Clough is optimistic about his side's chances of pulling off a shock aggregate win over Manchester United to reach the Carling Cup final.

The Rams are struggling in the league, but they take a 1-0 lead into Tuesday's semi-final second-leg at Old Trafford.

"It is a long, long time since Derby have been to Wembley. That is the incentive," said Clough.

"We are capable of getting a result there, whether it be a draw to hang onto the lead or whatever."

Clough has Cup history as a manager against United with his former club Burton Albion.

They held Sir Alex Ferguson's side to a goalless draw in the FA Cup third round three years ago before bowing out of the competition after a 5-0 defeat in the replay at Old Trafford.

Clough has now moved on, although his spell in charge at Pride Park got off to a disappointing start as they lost 2-0 to QPR in the Championship on Saturday.

"They know they didn't perform on Saturday but we hope we bottomed out in that department and everything goes up from here," said Clough.

"There were things going on - we have come from dealing with players three or four leagues down - basic things, that lads at the level we used to be at were better at.

"There wasn't a spark out there and defensively the two goals were very poor from our point of view. I've been in a state of shock for the last 48 hours."

An important few days now beckon for Derby - not just the United game - but an FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to their local rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday.

In an exciting atmosphere like this, you find out a lot about your young players Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

It is a chance for Clough to make a instant name for himself at the club where his father first established himself as one of the best managerial talents of all time.

"We don't need a win (against United), we only need a draw and then we have a big Cup game on Friday. Anything at all would give the players a great boost," said Clough.

"It doesn't happen overnight. Confidence that has been eroded in 18 months can't be repaired in a week or two. We have got to slowly work at it and try to get a few results."

Clough said he would take a pragmatic approach to his team selection for the game against United.

"We have got to look after the lead - so we won't be playing three up front - but you can't defend for 90 minutes at Old Trafford. When we get the opportunity to go forward we have to," he said.

Derby may take hope from the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated he will rest many of his first team regulars to concentrate on the Premier League.

606: DEBATE Give us your views on Derby's Cup prospects

"All the young players will play. I won't risk the league campaign for the League Cup and I think the young players will do well (on Tuesday)," said Ferguson.

"In an exciting atmosphere like that you find out a lot about your young players, Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Rafael, the young boy Zoran Tosic, are going to be involved.

"His (Tosic's) work permit should be through and he might even start but I will make my bench very strong. The ones who have been involved will be involved in the final hopefully if we get there. They deserve their chance."

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