He had to watch from the stand at Old Trafford but Town midfielder Cole Skuse admits he was almost asking boss Mick McCarthy to let him play in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Manchester United.
Town fielded a side that included several players with just a handful of first team games between them, but McCarthy included all members of the playing staff in the party that jetted north to take on Louis van Gaal’s star-studded side.
Skuse said: "Was I gutted not to be playing? I was and I wasn’t. There was part of me that wanted to say ‘Any chance gaffer?’ but he obviously had his reasons for doing what he did.
"He knew what he wanted to do and I think it was fair that he did it, letting the lads who had done the hard miles against Stevenage and Doncaster play against Manchester United.
"The gaffer kind of implied after the Doncaster game that he was going to be sort of faithful and loyal to the boys who had beaten Doncaster and Stevenage, and had got us to that point in the competition.
"So I kind of had an inkling in the back of my mind that I wouldn’t play, bearing in mind there’s a big game on Saturday against my old team, Bristol City, and it’s always nice to be fresh as I can be for that one.
"He took everyone to the game. He didn’t want to leave anyone at home. I’d been to Old Trafford a few times to watch games but I’ve still never played there.
"But for the club there were a lot of positives and the experience will have massively benefited the squad.
"United put out the cream of the crop — maybe not their strongest team but still a very, very strong team.
"Then there’s the surroundings, not just for the youngsters but for some of the older players and it might have been the first time for a lot of us.
"The build-up to the game and playing at a massive stadium like that, it should all stand us in good stead for where we want to be.
"United didn’t cut any corners or hold back. They put out some of their big guns but none of our lads were in awe of it or starstruck in any way.
"They just got about their business and some of the younger boys did really, really well. No disrespect to anyone who was here last year but you can see in training there’s an extra 10 per cent and the tempo is better this season.
"That must have been clear for people to see on Wednesday night, going away to Manchester United, playing lads who have little league or first team experience and they more than held their own.
"They came away holding their heads high. It wasn’t a surprise to us, the lads who weren’t playing, in any way.
"But it must have shown the fans that the quality in depth is there. I tried to be a senior figure and like the other boys we were telling the younger lads how well they had done and that they should feel very proud of themselves.
"I know a lot of them had friends and family there and I’m sure they were proud of them as well.”
Skuse was impressed by Australian new boy Tommy Oar, the ex-Utrecht winger making a dream debut at one of the world’s most famous football venues. He said: "Tommy’s a lovely, lovely boy. He’s quite quiet and is just going about his business in his own way, I guess.
"He’s not overly chirpy or loud in the dressing room but you could see on Wednesday, despite the fact that he hasn’t played for a long time, that he has plenty of energy and a high fitness level.
"I thought he did really well at Old Trafford with the forward threat that he offered and he should be very happy with his performance.
"He has not played games but he has looked after himself and stayed fit, which tells me he is a very good professional.”