Christiano Ronaldo Videos

Manchester United reached the final of the Carling Cup after beating a determined Derby County side 4-2 (4-3 agg) at old trafford on Tuesday. 

Derby led 1-0 after the first leg of the semi-final tie but were still considered extreme underdogs going into Tuesday’s match.

Nani struck first for United with an outstanding 35 yard strike that Roy Carroll was unlucky not to keep out.  Minutes later United took the lead in the tie for the first time as John O’shea evaded the Derby offside trap to slot home his first goal since 2007 and a Carlos Tevez header made it 3-0 (3-1agg).

Derby improved after the break and got back into the game as Giles Barnes scored from the penalty spot after Paul Green was fouled by Johnny Evans.  Derby’s joy was shortlived though as Tevez was fouled by Carroll and Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home the ensuing spot kick. 

At 4-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, Darby could have been forgiven for thinking the match was over but to their great credit battled to the end and got their just reward as Barnes stroked in a superb 25 yard free-kick.

In truth United were never really under pressure and seemed as though they were happy to sit back and conserve energy.  The win puts United in the final to face the winner of Wednesday’s match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.

The win was soured slightly as United suffered three injury blows, with Nani, Anderson and Evans all facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.