It was difficult for the usual passing game Manchester United is used to playing due to a drenched field at Old Trafford. It was raining in Manchester two days prior to the game and conditions were far from perfect. Coming into this match Derby County is stuck at the bottom of the premier league and Derby boss Paul Jewell has had trouble facing United in the past. It was united who shined in the opening minutes as they almost went ahead just five minutes of playing time when Tevez and Patrice Evra traded some passes and crossed to find Rooney who couldn’t direct it towards goal. Moments later it was Cristiano Ronaldo with an opportunity with a dashing run then ripped a shot just wide. The reds would get on the board first in the 40th minute when Cristiano’s shot parried and fell to Ryan Giggs who tapped it in to get his first goal since October. United would strike again when it was a scramble in the Derby box and Tevez fought for the red’s second goal in just 5 minutes. Tevez would add to the lead and get his second of the match near the 60th minute when he drove a low skidding shot that rifled passed Derby’s keeper. Derby County would struggle to stay alive and they would steal a goal when there was confusion to clear inside United’s box and Steve Howard was there to head it in. They would add to the lead to make it 4-1 in injury time. Cristiano Ronaldo was tripped up inside the box and instead of giving Tevez a shot at a hat trick he took it himself, the Portuguese winger fired home his 14th goal of the season and United get their 3 points for the day.