Darren Weir – B00305631

Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard will face off against each other for the first time as managers when Manchester United host Derby in the Caraboa Cup tomorrow evening.

The pair enjoyed great success together at Chelsea when Lampard played under Mourinho in the mid 2000’s. Their triumphs together included 2 Premier League titles, 2 League Cups and 1 FA Cup in Mourinho’s first three-year stint at the club. In 2005 Lampard finished the season as Chelsea’s top scorer and came second in the Ballon d’Or voting behind Ronaldinho.

However, their relationship must be put to one side when their teams clash in the 3^rd round of the League Cup. United will go into the game as favourites but Derby will be looking to apply the pressure on Mourinho and his side following there poor 1-1 draw at home to Wolves at the weekend.

The Rams go into the game in good form as they currently sit 6^th in the Championship table – only 2 points behind leaders Leeds United. Lampard’s impressive start to life as a manager hasn’t gone unnoticed as Mourinho believes his old stalwart is capable of making an impact at Derby, who have been tipped by some for promotion.

Mourinho added: “I don’t consider them favourites because it is really hard to do that in the Championship.

“But I think when Frank goes there he goes with the intention of being promoted. He has experienced players, he has good players coming from good academies like Chelsea and Liverpool.

“They are playing well, they are in the fight for promotion and we all know that a fight in that competition will be for promotion, for play-offs and will last until the end.”