Manchester United and Burton in action in 2006 (Getty)

Manchester United take on Burton Albion tonight in the third round of the League Cup.

In theory, victory should be assured for the Red Devils, but that’s what they thought when they faced them back in 2006.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were drawn against the minnows in the Third Round of the FA Cup and despite the vast chasm between the sides – there were 104 league places between them at the time – they couldn’t be split.

‘We were part-time and the players were doing all sorts,’ remembers Nigel Clough, who was in charge of Burton then and is back at the helm now. ‘Our captain was, and still is, a builder, we had electricians, fitness workers and a driving instructor. I hope we’ve improved since then!’

Burton forced a replay back at Old Trafford (which they lost 5-0) (Getty)

Even the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo failed to break the deadlock as the match at Burton ended 0-0 and was taken to a replay (which United won 5-0).

As well as Ronaldo, who came on in the 59th minute, Wayne Rooney was also introduced off the bench with the striker coming on a minute before.

Rooney and Ronaldo were introduced off the bench (Getty)
Rooney was at the peak of his powers (Getty)

A young Gerard Pique was playing in defence while United States goalkeeper Tim Howard was between the sticks.

Club legend Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer was the man Ronaldo replaced while Louis Saha led the line for 90 minutes.

Louis Saha saw a goal ruled out for offside (Getty)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was replaced (Getty)

Here’s how Manchester United lined up on that embarrassing January afternoon…

The Man Utd team in full

Tim Howard; Phil Bardsley, Gerard Pique, John O’Shea, Mikael Silvestre; Kieran Richardson, Wes Brown, Ritchie Jones; Giuseppe Rossi (Wayne Rooney ’59) Louis Saha, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Cristiano Ronaldo ’58)

Burton, now in the Championship, are a much improved side to what they were then but Manchester United remain the strong favourites before tonight’s meeting at Old Trafford. Yet it seems Jose Mourinho has learnt the lessons from history and is taking them very seriously.

‘I know the quality of the Championship and I know if we don’t take the game seriously we are going to lose.’

MORE : Manchester United duo in form of their lives, says Jose Mourinho

MORE : Chelsea boss Antonio Conte sends word of warning to title rivals Manchester United and Man City