Nigel Clough believes Burton Albion's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Manchester United can provide a welcome boost for the team and the club.
The Brewers will travel to Old Trafford in the week commencing September 18 to face the current holders - the second time they will have faced United away from home in 12 years following the 2006 FA Cup third-round replay.
Clough was in charge of Burton on that day as well as the then-Conference Brewers went down to a 5-0 defeat following a memorable goalless draw in the previous clash at the Pirelli Stadium.
Albion are now a Championship side, with the season ahead likely to see them once again battling to maintain their second-tier status.
And with that in mind, Clough knows it will be a welcome and exciting opportunity for the players as much as the fans - and he appreciates just how precious it makes Tuesday night's triumph at Cardiff City now seem.
"It makes that away win at Cardiff seem even better now," he told the club's website.
"It's a wonderful reward for two very good away victories in the competition to get this far.
"It's a great draw for the fans, but also the players. I don't think many of them will have had the chance to play at Old Trafford before.
"It's very exciting and will give everyone a lift and a boost.
"He (United boss Jose Mourinho) is one that doesn't tend to put too weakened a side out, so it's going to be very difficult from a football point of view.
Cardiff City 1 - 2 Burton Albion
"We will put our strongest side out and everyone will make the trip to share in the experience - it's one everyone can enjoy."
Despite the enormity of the task, Clough's Brewers will be hoping for a better outcome at Old Trafford than their last trip there if they are to reach the League Cup's fourth round for the first time in their history.
But Clough will be aware of the value of the trip nonetheless, just as he appreciates what Albion's previous clashes with United meant in his first spell as boss.
"Those ties played such an important role in the development of the club," he added.
"And as they also brought a team down for the official opening of the stadium we played them three times that season."
