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Last season we played Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. It was another big game, big performance, big result, but we have to work on the future.

“My players know me and they know that the past is the past. We have learned from our four amazing games that we have lost some points after those, and those points cost us promotion.

“Now everyone has promotion in their heads, the cup was good for everybody and will be when we play Everton but the game against Charlton is more important.”

Karanka is adamant fatigue will not come in to his thinking with the players who played the 120 minutes against Manchester United; despite being a head coach who regularly changes his team because of tiredness.

He explained: “It would have been completely different had we lost the game in Manchester. Winning the game you can be tired but you are really pleased and you just want to play again.

“If we had lost the game on Wednesday then I would have made more changes. The mentality would have been different, down, going in the Charlton game. Now I have to check all of the players, but I’m sure it will be fine.”

Karanka will have greater confidence in fielding either Bruno Zuculini or Jack Stephens in central midfield after their impressive displays against Manchester United. With Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter both a caution away from a one-match ban, such options will come in handy – particularly with Adam Forshaw still sidelined.

Karanka said: “Bruno got 15/20 minutes and he looked like he had been with us for months. He is young, experienced, a good character and he is going to be important for us.

“And then I saw Jack as a player who could play in both positions when I signed him. Sometimes he can play as a midfielder and other times as a centre defender.

“I would like to say how well he played on Wednesday, he played really well. They need to show me on the pitch they are capable of playing and he has shown he can play.

“He is another option for me. I know I can make changes and the team will be still in good shape, that’s why I have a good squad.”