Before the match Alex Ferguson received an award for being the second best
manager in the world in 1997 - but their was nothing second best about
Manchester United today.
The trophy was from the International Federation of Football Historians and
Statisticians and it is one of the few times this season that the United boss
will have to settle for the runners-up prize.
Ryan Giggs scored their first from a great move after 18 minutes and Denis
Irwin added their second from the penalty spot on 71 minutes as United finally
recorded their first Premiership win over the Rams.
United put their recent indifferent home form, which had seen them lose one
and draw two of their last three games, behind them as they rediscovered their
fluent passing game in the first half.
Their passing was crisp and accurate with Giggs and David Beckham causing the
visitors all sorts of problems.
United had a point to prove against Derby who have been something of a bogey
side for the champions.
Remarkably the Rams had lost just three times to the champions in their
previous 11 meetings.
They had won three of their last four at Old Trafford and United's last home
win over the Rams was back in April 1991.
Derby's 3-2 victory last April heralded the arrival of Paulo Wanchope as the
rubber-legged Costa Rican scored on his debut.
The 22-year-old has scored 13 times this season and he has been rewarded with
the offer of a new lucrative contract.
After five minutes he nearly added number 14 when he was released by Stefano
Eranio, but he failed to connect properly with his shot and Peter Schmeichel
saved.
But United took control after that and they deservedly took the lead with a
lovely sweeping move.
Teddy Sheringham fed Giggs, who spread the play out to Andy Cole on the right
and the Welshman continued his run to meet Cole's back-post cross and score his
eighth goal of the season.
United were now flying and Giggs connected with Phil Neville's cross, only to
plant his header straight at Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom.
On 22 minutes, Cole nearly doubled United's lead when Poom saved his shot from
Giggs' pass with his legs before the striker put the rebound past the post.
Ferguson was clearly enjoying United's performance and he even had time to
smile and joke with some fans sitting behind him.
United continued to pressure Derby and Cole won possession from Chris Powell
in the penalty area on the right-hand side, but Poom saved his shot from the
narrow angle.
But United could not afford to be complacent and after 37 minutes Rory Delap's
powerful drive was deflected away for a Derby corner.
Giggs nearly beat Poom with a low drive four minutes before the interval,
which the Estonian international saved low down to his left.
Eranio fed Dean Sturridge four minutes after the interval and the Derby
striker raced into the United penalty area, where he was halted by a great
tackle from Gary Pallister.
This was a much-improved United from the one which has spluttered in recent
weeks and their spirit was typified by Giggs who raced back to nip the ball away
from Eranio, to leave the Italian bewildered.
United's second-half performance did not match their first, but they still
managed to extend their lead in the 71st minute when Giggs won them a penalty.
Cole played the Welshman in and he was fouled by Delap, who was booked. Irwin
made no mistake from the spot to score his third of the season and second
penalty.
United's day was slightly marred when Giggs went off 13 minutes from time with
an injury to be replaced by Brian McClair.
Derby, to their credit, did not give up and eight minutes from time they hit
the side netting, but there was no denying United.
Teams
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin (Clegg 75), Pallister,
Beckham, Butt, Cole (Cruyff 75), Sheringham, Giggs (McClair 79),
P. Neville, Berg.
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Casper.
Goals: Giggs 18, Irwin 71 pen.
Derby: Poom, Rowett, C. Powell, Stimac, Sturridge, Wanchope,
Delap (Willems 87), Carsley, Eranio, Dailly, Baiano.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, D. Powell, Elliot, Kozluk.
Booked: Sturridge.
Att: 55,170
Ref: M D Reed (Birmingham).
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