When Man Utd face championship Derby County in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round this evening, it will see two friends reunite. Utd manager José Mourinho managed the Rams' Frank Lampard in two spells at Chelsea which yielded two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, and who had a huge influence on his career, with some saying he played his best Football under him. The two will face each other in opposing dugouts for the first time in a mouthwatering tie.

Man Utd looking for more League Cup success

José Mourinho has already had League Cup success with Man Utd having won the trophy with them back in 2017 after a 3-2 win over Southampton, and has won it three times before with Chelsea (2005, 2007, 2014), illustrating his pedigree for the cup.

Man Utd will welcome back Ander Herrera for the match after his recovery from an ankle problem, with Nemanja Matic also set to return after missing the 1-1 draw with Wolves through suspension. Marcus Rashford is still suspended with Marcos Rojo also out injured (knee). After impressing in the Champions League against Young Boys, teenage full-back Diogo Dalot could be in-line to start to give some of the fringe players a go.

Man Utd have only lost one of their past 15 League Cup 3rd Round ties, a defeat to Coventry in 2007-2008 at Old Trafford. In the Premier League era three of the four teams to beat Man Utd in the League Cup at Old Trafford have been outside the top flight; York City in 1995, Coventry in 2007 and Crystal Palace in 2011.

José Mourinho has an impressive record in the League Cup at home having played 11, winning 9 and drawing 2, though Chelsea in 2005-2006 were eliminated on penalties 5-4 to Charlton Athletic - a side including Frank Lampard. Man Utd will be looking for their sixth League Cup success having won it in 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2017.

Lampard hoping to cause a shock

In his first stint as a manager, Derby's Frank Lampard has had a good start to his career, with his Rams side currently 6th in Championship and coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Brentford on Saturday and a 4-0 win over Hull City in the previous round. The Rams will have to do without captain Curtis Davis for their clash with Man Utd due to a hamstring problem.

Midfielder George Evans will also be out with a knee injury and forward Tom Lawrence is out suspended, with Martin Olsson, a long-term absentee.

In the past seven League Cup ties, Derby have been knocked out on six occasions by a Premier League opposition, with their only win coming against Stoke City in the 2008-2009 Quarter-Final. Derby have never won the League Cup!

Man Utd and Derby have met twice in the League Cup before, with the Red Devils winning on both occasions; the 1970 Quarter-Final and the 2009 Semi-Final. Derby have lost seven of their past eight visits to Old Trafford with their only victory coming in May 2001 in the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win from a Malcolm Christie goal.

With Mourinho and Lampard having a strong friendship, it's all set-up to add some spice to the tie!