PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"Jordi Cruyff came of the bench with less than ten minutes to go to score a vital goal which gave Manchester United a deserved point."

MATCH REPORT

By David Anderson, PA Sport

Jordi Cruyff continued his Manchester United renaissance when he came off the substitutes' bench to snatch at point at Derby. Lacklustre United were heading towards a surprise defeat at Pride Park after Deon Burton gave Derby a 74th-minute lead.

United boss Alex Ferguson went for broke when he sent on Cruyff along with Jesper Blomqvist and Paul Scholes in a triple substitution nine minutes from time and the switch paid off. Cruyff had been on the pitch for only four minutes when he shot past Russell Hoult and into the far corner to haul United level.

The goal was the Dutchman's second of the month and further evidence of his return to form after a nightmare run of injuries. After United had put Wimbledon and Brondby to the sword in such spectacular fashion in their last two games, Derby were expected to come like Rams to the slaughter.

Ferguson's men had banged in 11 goals in those two wins, while Derby had lost their last three on the bounce. Manager Jim Smith responded by handing Burton his first start of the campaign, while skipper Igor Stimac returned to bolster their shaky defence. But a quick look at the record books revealed that Derby have been far from soft touches for United in the last couple of seasons. They went into the game boasting a record of just one defeat in their last four league encounters with United.

David Beckham and Nicky Butt returned after suspension to give Ferguson the opportunity to "freshen" up his side once again. Kick-off was delayed 15 minutes because of traffic congestion and when the game did start, Stefan Schnoor blundered to present Dwight Yorke with a second-minute chance, but the German recovered to deflect the striker's shot away for a corner.

Schnoor was then booked for a foul on Beckham on the halfway line on 10 minutes. The England midfielder was booed by the home fans who felt he had dived. Derby threatened the United goal for the first time in the 20th minute and Sturridge had a shot deflected wide before Stimac went close from the resultant corner.

The impressive Wes Brown then fired narrowly over the bar from 20 yards before Butt also went close. Derby ended the first half on top and Schnoor blazed over when he should have done better.

United were feeling the pressure and Cole was booked for not retreating at a Derby freekick 25 yards out and he might have been sent off when he obstructed Sturridge outside the box. Tony Dorigo made his Derby debut when he replaced the injured Jacob Laursen at half-time and the signing from Torino quickly made an impression on the game with his crosses from the left.

Paulo Wanchope headed into Peter Schmeichel's arms from one delivery and from another teasing ball, the Costa Rican went down in the box claiming he had been fouled. A Burton shot was blocked by Brown and the 19-year-old came to United's aid again when he blocked Wanchope's header at the back post. Burton latched on to Schnoor's up and under and the Jamaican international fired just wide from the edge of the area with Gary Neville furious he had not been given offside.

Darryl Powell won the ball just inside his own half and went on a great run and after playing a one-two with Wanchope, he shot just across goal. Prior made a vital interception when he cut out Cole's cross, which was bound for the unmarked Giggs at the back post.

Butt then drove the ball into the arms of Hoult, who was making his 100th league appearance, from Keane's pass before Derby took a deserved lead in the 74th minute. The lively Dorigo backheeled the ball to Powell and he crossed for Burton to touch it past Schmeichel into the far corner.

United then brought on Blomqvist, Cruyff and Scholes as they went for broke. That did the trick for United as Cruyff popped up after 86 minutes to secure what had looked like an unlikely point for the Old Trafford outfit.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson patted himself on the back after his triple substitution earned his side a point against Derby. United were trailing to Deon Burton's 74th minute strike when Ferguson brought on Jordi Cruyff, Jesper Blomqvist, and Paul Scholes with nine minutes left at Pride Park.

The trio turned the game and Cruyff netted the equaliser within four minutes to snatch a share of the spoils for lacklustre united.

"I think it was a sensible throw of the dice," said Ferguson. "I wish I had four to bring on because when you're down, you have to do things like that. When you bring on players of quality like them, they're all capable of scoring. I think the three of them changed the game. I felt they all did well and of course Cruyff scored the goal."

United never came close to hitting the heights of their last two performances against Wimbledon and Brondby, but Ferguson refused to give their midweek European game as a reason.

"I don't think we can use the Brondby game as an excuse for our performance - I don't think that was relevant," he said. "I felt we did not play with any real aggression and I felt we gave the ball away too easily on what was a great pitch. I only wish Derby had scored 25 minutes earlier because our reaction was good."

Six players were booked, three from each side, but Ferguson felt David Beckham's caution for a foul on Paulo Wanchope was particularly harsh. "That was an unlucky booking," he said.

Dejected Derby boss Jim Smith agreed with Ferguson's assessment that the three substitutes had changed the game.

"To be fair, it was a very positive reaction," he said. "He went for it and he got it."

But Smith could not hide his disappointment at not taking the three points.

He said: "After three defeats in our last three games I was delighted with the attitude, commitment and our game plan, but I was disappointed with the draw. I did not feel it was the right result. But before a ball was kicked, if you had said we would draw, I would have been happy with that result. We have a big week in front of us with games against Leeds and Arsenal to come, so it was important we got a solid performance and result."

Smith also praised captain Igor Stimac, who returned to tighten up the Rams' defence. "Igor gave us a bit more substance," said Smith.

Rams defender Jacob Laursen came off injured at half-time with damaged ankle ligaments.

TEAMS

Derby County: Hoult, Schnoor, Stimac, Powell, Laursen, Prior, Carsley, Burton, Delap, Wanchope, Sturridge.
Subs: Dorigo for Laursen.
Scorers: Burton (75)

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Stam, P Neville, Brown, Keane, Butt, Giggs, Beckham, Cole, Yorke.
Subs: Scholes for G Neville, Blomqvist for Giggs, Cruyff for Butt.
Scorers: Cruyff (86)

Referee: P Durkin