Reserves See United Thru

Derby 1 - Manchester United 4
Scorers
Derby: Addison (56)
Manchester United: Nani (29), Gibson (44), Ronaldo (48), Welbeck (81)

Team: Foster, Rio, Evans, Evra (O'Shea 55), Rafael, Fletcher, Gibson, Park (Welbeck 55), Nani, Giggs, Ronaldo (Possebon 72)

At first glance, the first team lineup simply baffles the mind. There were no strikers on display and in their place were Giggs and Ronaldo. My initial reaction was that we're probably fucked, but considering how our strikeforce has been performing, it wasn't really that bad to switch around against a considerably weaker opponent. To add to that, we also welcomed back Evra, Rafael and Evans back into the defence, all returning from injuries.

Despite the looks of a heavily make-shift team, we completely and utterly dominated proceedings. Derby struggled to match the pace and ingenuity of our running and passing. After a couple near misses and good saves, Nani jinked his way past his marker and rifled a shot beyond Derby's outstretched keeper.

Gibson added a second before the break, off a Ronaldo freekick which caromed off the wall.

Ronaldo scored a third with a header just after the break. The goal seemed to have woken Derby from their sleep. They came at us with furious determination and pulled one back, invigorating the crowd.

We were constantly on the backfoot, struggling to cope with Derby's approach, but as the game moved towards the last ten minutes, Welbeck finished off whatever slim hopes Derby had with a cool finish.

It was a good game for some of our younger players, whilst most of the regulars rested after the midweek internationals. Giggs, in particular, was at his inspirational best.

We move on to the quarter-finals, facing either the Swans or Fulham away.