Derby County 0 Manchester United 1 (Ronaldo 75)
Ronaldo rescues United from their own poor finishing, but it was debut boy Ben Foster’s saves that meant that Ronaldo was able to get all three points for United.
It was thought that Foster wouldn’t have anything to do against bottom placed Derby, but after an early United onslaught Derby came into the game and had two excellent chances which the young English man saved brilliantly.
Throughout the game United were denied by ex-United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, but scored when Rooney broke down the left, looked up and crossed through to Ronaldo, cutting in from the right. Once again, Ronaldo had used his pace to beat the defender to the ball. He volleyed home and was clearly relieved to have scored. The goal takes the winger to 31 goals this season, only one short of George Best’s 32.
United’s win took them back to the top of the table on goal difference, after Arsenal drew for the forth game in a row against Middlesbrough. There is a real three horse race as Chelsea are just three point behind United and Arsenal.
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Derby County v Man Utd
Pride Park Saturday, 15 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
If ever there was a team to play when your first choice keeper was injured, your reserve keeper was suspended and your third choice keeper had played one game in the last year it would be Derby County.
This might be tempting fate but I think Derby are going to take Sunderland’s crown as the worst Premier League team ever. Derby have only just reached 10 points for the season and I can’t see them picking up the five more needed to equal Sunderland’s worse season.
That said, United still have to turn up and put the chances away. I just wonder how many changes Fergie will risk, and how close it will be to kick off before Louis Saha pulls up lame.
United Team News
Ben Foster makes his United debut with Tom Heaton on the bench (it would make an interesting pub quiz question if he had to come off the bench and make his United debut as well; Heaton has sat on the bench 8 times but never made it on).
Derby Team News
Ex-United keeper Roy Carroll is hoping to impress against his former team but arguably Derby’s best defender Alan Stubbs is out with injury.
Form and Prediction
United have to bounce back from the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup and shouldn’t let the bitterness about the refereeing decisions distract them from just getting the job done. Derby come into the game just hoping that they don’t get hammered again.
Prediction 3-1 to United (with Ronaldo scoring again)
Image Horny Sheep, originally uploaded by foxypar4
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