Electric Ronaldo decisive again as United go top

Derby County 0-1 Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo struck with fifteen minutes to go for champions Manchester United to earn his side the three points at rock bottom Derby County at Pride Park.

The Portuguese, who had numerous chances throughout the afternoon, grabbed the crucial winner towards the end of a hugely lacklustre United performance.

With his side up against the worst team in the league, with Derby’s aims for the remainder of the season having switched from avoiding relegation to avoiding a record points low, United manager Alex Ferguson again shuffled his side.

Nani was omitted from the squad, while Rio Ferdinand and Carlos Tevez were also missing from the travelling 16, with Ronaldo playing upfront with Wayne Rooney and former Porto midfielder Anderson joining Paul Scholes in midfield.

The visitors dominated the opening half hour, with Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo both missing good opportunities, before the former Sporting man struck the post from inside the area following a cut-back from John O’Shea.

Ronaldo forces save

Ronaldo drew a good save from former United ‘keeper Roy Carroll, before Derby suddenly sprang into life and forced Ben Foster into a smart double stop. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, making his debut for United, denied Kenny Miller twice with left-handed saves, before Rooney slammed an effort wide at the other end after brilliantly beating defender Darren Moore.

The second half saw a far more lethargic United side, although the chances continued to come for Ronaldo. After heading a corner straight at Carroll, Ronaldo then lifted his finish well over the bar from inside the area from the resulting corner. A trademark free-kick flew a metre wide and Ronaldo dragged a shot off target as the Portuguese became visibly frustrated at the way his afternoon was going.

However, just as the home fans began to contemplate an unexpected point, the Premiership’s leading goalscorer finally opened his account. Rooney broke down the left and managed to pick out his team-mate inside the area, leaving Ronaldo to coolly cushion a side-footed finish past Carroll to give United a priceless lead.

Ronaldo continued his personal battle with Carroll in the closing stages, testing the Northern Ireland no.1 with a fizzing free-kick before being denied when put through on goal, but the Portuguese’s goal proved the only strike of a match in which United will feel relieved to have avoided an embarrassing slip-up in their quest to defend their title.

Derby County:
Carroll, Edworthy (Todd, 55), McEveley, Leacock, Moore, Savage, Jones, Lewis, Sterjovski (Robert, 83), Earnshaw (Villa, 77), Miller
Yellow Cards: Moore, McEveley, Lewis, Jones, Savage

Manchester United:
Foster, O’Shea, Evra, Brown, Vidic, Scholes (Carrick, 62), Anderson (Fletcher, 74) Park (Saha, 62), Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney
Yellow Cards: Carrick

Goals:
[0-1] Ronaldo, 76