EFL Cup 2018/19: 4 reasons why Derby County could upset Manchester United

#2: Lampard will want a big scalp

Frank Lampard appears to be as driven as a manager as he was a player

It came as somewhat of a surprise when Derby announced the appointment of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard as their new boss this summer, given he had no prior experience in management and Derby had almost achieved promotion via the playoffs under Gary Rowett in 2017/18 anyway. But Lampard has taken to the job well thus far, winning 5 of 9 matches in the Championship to date and only losing 3.

In the EFL Cup meanwhile, Derby have been perfect – defeating Oldham 0-2 in the first round and Hull City 0-4 in the second round. But this clash with Manchester United not only represents their toughest test by a mile in this competition thus far, it also represents a major test for Lampard and his managerial methods. Lampard was unbelievably driven as a player and he seems equally driven as a boss – and it’s teams like United that you need to beat to make it to the top, where he clearly wants to go.

If Lampard can claim a scalp the size of Manchester United this early in his managerial career, it’d send a huge message not only to the fans of Derby County, but a message to the rest of English football too, that he’s deadly serious about management and that he can succeed in that realm as much as he did in his playing career, which is why he’ll be absolutely desperate to see his side win tomorrow.