United boss Neil Redfearn is hoping for an improved away performance after watching his side suffer defeat at home on Boxing Day.

Redfearn and his United side travel to the iPro Stadium on Tuesday evening and the head coach wants to come away with something to make up for the home loss against Wigan.

Having already met once this season, the United boss feels that Derby will still be hurting following his sides 2-0 win over them at Elland Road, but he states he will be concentrating on United’s performance.

“I think that they might still be a little sore about it,” admitted Redfearn. “They came to us at the top of the league and they had their pride hurt so they will want to put that right.

“But from our point of view we need to get a decent away performance again.

“The last one at Forest was a good performance and we got a good result. Deservedly so in the end I thought.

“Hopefully if we can get a result and a performance then it will help to eradicate the game on Boxing Day.”

When the two sides met earlier this season United upset the odds and beat the then league leaders and Redfearn is hoping lightening strikes twice and his side do the double over the promotion hopefuls.

“It’s a big game and a tough game for us,” said the head coach. “Derby are doing well but we said that the first time we played them.

“We upset the applecart that day by getting a result and playing well but they will know about us now so it will be more difficult this time.

“We have to make sure that we get the level of performance right and that we are more diligent at both ends of the pitch.”

Unlike most of the Championship United and Derby didn’t play on December 28 and the head coach is pleased with the extra preparation time.

“The extra days are a big help,” said Neil. “It is obviously a tough programme and to play two games in three days is a big ask, particularly with the level and the tempo and this standard of football.

“So it gives us chance to have a breather and an extra day or two to prepare.”