Manchester United 2-0 Derby County: 5 Talking Points

#4 Derby County take their free hit warmly

Tom Lawrence in action

Well, Manchester United have lost only twice in their last 44 matches at the Theatre of Dreams. The only team they have surrendered to at home is Pep Guardiola's juggernaut, those Citizens.

So Derby were right in feeling lighter on their backs coming into the game as not much was expected of them. But Gary Rowett's men did not come to Old Trafford to park the bus, oh no! They came with a purpose and that was to push the Red Devils to put their nose to the grindstone and they executed the plan well for most parts of the game.

United were definitely the better team on the night after having created more clear-cut chances but Derby weren't without their chances. United's old lad Tom Lawrence was a constant source of angst going forward. Sam Winnall and Olsson had the best chances but their final product lacked the quality that was stocked to gills in the build-up.

Huddlestone kept things steady in the centre and Alex Pearce, along with Richard Keogh did the same at the back. The wingbacks also put in a shift as they kept United trying and testing their technique on more than a dozen occasions, but to no fruition.