“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.

“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.

Derby Country Manager Gary Rowett