Nigel Clough was glad to see his Burton Albion side 'have a go' against Manchester United - just as they set out to do.
The Brewers saw their Carabao Cup run ended at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho's Premier League giants running out 4-1 winners thanks to Marcus Rashford's first-half brace, Jesse Lingard's deflected effort and a tidy Anthony Martial finish.
Lloyd Dyer smashed home a last-gasp consolation that was welcomed by the travelling Albion fans and was thoroughly deserved by Clough's men, who went out to attack United from the first minute and fashioned several gilt-edged chances in the first half.
Joe Mason had a great opening denied by Sergio Romero, while Jamie Allen and Matty Lund also came close.
And while United's attacking class ultimately shone through - Burton goalkeeper Connor Ripley ensuring it did not shine to greater effect - the Brewers boss knows his players ensured they more than played their part in an eye-catching contest.
"All we wanted to do was have a go - and I thought we did that tonight, especially in the first half," said Clough.
"We came in 3-0 down at half-time, but we'd had the chances ourselves as well.
"One deflection for the third goal, and then Tom Naylor makes a slight mistake for the fourth goal.
"Connor Ripley's made a couple of good saves as well.
"We honestly thought that playing the team we did (which boasted nine changes from Saturday) was our best chance of getting a result tonight.
"They are fresh - the other lads have just come off the back of games at Leeds, Norwich and Fulham. Now we've got Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa and Wolves.
"That was our best chance of getting a result tonight."
Dyer's 91st-minute strike was the first goal scored by an away side at Old Trafford since the start of the campaign.
Clough knows that accolade may well have come before that late juncture, though.
"We should've had one earlier, because we had two or three very good situations," he added.
"We are disappointed we didn't score before that.
"Their quality just shines through - £180m worth on the pitch, never mind what's on the bench.
"They are always going to carve you open at will, and unfortunately they scored from their first two shots.
"Because we started the game well. We were positive, we had a couple of situations ourselves, and then they just punish you at the other end, almost at will at times."
