FT: Derby 1 Man Utd 0

All over and it's Derby's night! United have been clueless in attack from start to finish and Derby thoroughly deserve their victory. Things are set up nicely for the replay in a fortnight, by which time Nigel Clough will be in the dug-out for the Rams.

90+5 Ronaldo lashes the free-kick in but it's always sailing over Carroll's crossbar. Surely the last real action.

90+4 Surely the last action of the match now - and it'll be a United free-kick as Commons trips Rooney. Definitely in Ronaldo range.

90+4 Derby opt to initially keep the ball in the corner, but when United shank the clearance, Green works his way into the box and his curling shot is only just over the bar.

90+3 Corner to Derby. Can they force a second?

90+3 Rooney penalised for a foul on Savage as they battled for a long ball forward by Evans.

90+2 Nani whips the free-kick in and the unlikely figure of Carrick meets it with a header but it's straight at Carroll.

90+1 Connolly booked for blatantly blocking off Ronaldo out wide. How can he complain? He'll miss the QPR league game.

90 Four minutes of added time will be played. Renewed hope for United as a few grumbles ring around the stadium.

90 Late free-kick to Derby out wide as Vidic is penalised for a tackle on Hulse which was borne out of frustration.

89 Commons whips a corner in which Kuszczak flaps at and Vidic has to head behind for a corner. United probably had a point in appealing for a free-kick but that was close to Hulse netting.

89 Corner to Derby as O'Shea is pressured into turning it behind by Barazite.

88 Right on cue Addison beats Rooney to a header. The ball drops to Gibson but his snapshot is always well off target.

88 Looks like the hulking Addison has slotted in alongside Nyatanga at the back - he's certainly got the height for it.

87 Former United youth-team player Robbie Savage replaces Todd, who appears to be struggling with a touch of cramp.

87 Rooney slides the ball through towards Nani down the inside left-channel but Carroll is out quickly to the edge of his box and gathers just in time. Great awareness.

86 Rooney slides the ball through towards Carrick but a desperate Nyatanga flings himself to the ground and gets a touch to it, diverting it away from the midfielder and into Carroll's arms.

85 Derby just struggling to clear their lines as United crank up the pressure. Rooney works the ball to Tevez but he opts to shoot rather than lay it out to Ronaldo. Poor effort, well over.

84 Commons springs between the two United central defenders but drags his shot - not from the easiest of angles - wide.

83 Wonder what the recently-departed Derby manager Paul Jewell makes of this?

82 Teale booked for a rash challenge on Rafael.

81 Barazite is on, with the impressive Davies replaced.

80 Great, great chance for Derby to double their lead. Commons skips away from Evans and cuts into the box before curling in a shot. Kuszczak can only palm it into the path of Hulse but he somehow spoons it over with the goal gaping.

79 Derby bringing Barazite on.

79 Gibson attempts to present Rafael with another crossing opportunity but overhits and the ball skips away from the Brazilian.

78 Hulse, now playing in a shiny white shirt with no number on the back, looks to link up with Davies down the left but the ball drifts out for a United goal-kick.

77 Ronaldo lashes in the free-kick and Carroll is beaten all ends up...but the ball flies just inches wide of the post.

76 Nani clips a lovely ball through to Tevez, and Todd hauls him down around 22 yards out just to the left of centre as United attack. Cue Ronaldo.

75 United work the ball to Ronaldo around 20 yards out after good work from Rafael but the Portuguese's shot on the turn is just wide.

74 Carrick on now, with Anderson making way.

74 Hulse forced to change his shirt as it's got a bit of blood on. Derby don't suffer in his absence, though, as Ronaldo's cross sails over those in the middle.

73 Carrick looks to be on his way for United now. They'll be hoping he brings composure in midfield as their passing has been poor.

72 The ball in is flicked on by Davies towards the near post but it's behind Todd and flies out for a goal-kick.

71 Commons gets down the inside-right channel and gets a good crossing opportunity, but Evans recovers superby to turn it behind for a corner.

70 Free-kick to Derby around 10 yards in the United half as Commons is fouled by Evans. It's United giving away the silly free-kicks now.

69 Great link-up play from Rooney and Ronaldo, with the latter whipping the ball in. Tevez opts for an acrobatic effort when Nani and Rooney are better placed - and the ball skips wide.

68 Davies takes down a half-cleared header from Vidic and works it onto his right foot but his shot is always skidding wide.

67 Decent crossing chance for Rafael from the right but the ball skips up in front of him and sails behind for a goal-kick.

66 Tevez coming deep to the collect the ball now - a clear sign of frustration at the service he's received so far.

65 Ronaldo and Rooney both appeal for free-kicks the first time they're involved. The former's probably was (play was waved on as United had the ball) but the latter's wasn't.

64 Hulse gets a flicked header to a rather hopeful ball from Commons, but Kuszczak gathers easily.

63 Double change for United as the two Rs come on - it's Scholes and Welbeck making way, with Gibson moving centrally.

62 Addison works the ball in to Hulse on the edge of the United box but he fails to lay it on to Davies, who had a decent shooting chance from around 25 yards.

61 Davies bundles his way through and over Rafael but seems surprised when referee Dowd awards a free-kick. Definite foul, and to be fair to Davies he's smiling as he retakes his position.

60 Rooney and Ronaldo now stripped and ready.

59 Hulse back on now after going through the rigmarole of leaving the field for all of five seconds.

58 First substitution of the night - but not the team you might think. Derby bring Teale on for Sterjovski.

57 Hulse takes the blow on the head in an aerial challenge with Vidic. No foul, but as it's a head knock, referee Dowd halts play. Hulse quickly back to his feet, though.

56 United still seeing more than their fair share of the ball but they just look clueless going forward at the moment and it's not often you can say that.

55 The second corner isn't up to scratch, allowing Vidic to hack clear.

55 Commons shows Nani how it should be done but floating in a lovely corner which Evans has to head behind again.

54 Great ball in from the right from Hulse which Evans has to turn behind. Sterjovski scenting blood just behind him.

53 Another wasted set-piece as Nani's delivery sails into the arms of Carroll.

52 Nani wins a cheap free-kick for United around 25 yards out on the left. Really silly from Connolly as he again he tackles from behind when he head no chance of getting the ball.

51 Davies stays down after challenging Anderson. It's not a head injury so United continue, much to the chagrin of the Derby fans. The Rams eventually win the ball back, though, and when they are awarded a free-kick, Davies is already back to his feet.

50 Gibson slides a ball through which Welbeck can't chase as he's offisde. Nani bursts towards it behind him, though, and it's only the alertness of Carroll that prevents him having a shooting chance. Great stuff from the former United 'keeper.

49 Derby happy for United to have the ball in their back four - and as soon as it comes forward they press and harry. Might be a good idea for them to go easy though - United have Messrs Rooney and Ronaldo warming up now!

48 Commons slides the ball to Camara, but he's strayed offside. Waste.

47 Terrible second corner, cleared easily by Davies at the front post. Derby break on the counter-attack and Rafael pulls down Commons around 30 yards out on the left. Derby fans baying for a red card, but referee Dowd opts - rightly - for a yellow.

47 Nani's corner is in towards Tevez at the front post. Davies clears behind - unwittingly - for a corner.

46 Early corner for United as Camara heads a long ball behind.

45 Derby get us back under way.

Here come Derby now.

Teams back out now. Well, United at least.

Aidan Strike now hedging his bets. He reckons: "I have had a change of heart. I think Ronaldo and Rooney will combine to bag a few goals apiece. Chelsea fan Nick Bolger also fancies a United win - 2-1 or 3-1 he reckons.

David from Florida draws the comparison with last night, writing: "Second half will be all United - predict same score as Tottenham. 4 -1 United win."

It's an 'I told you so' from Aidan Strike. He writes: "I told you Manchester United wouldn't overpower Derby." My 3-1 United still in play, though. Tevez will have to step it up to be man of the match though - he's barely touched it so far.

Julian is calling for change. He writes: "United need a leader on the pitch. BRING ON ROONEY."

Stu from Wigan calls it spot on. The Manchester United fan writes: "Derby fully deserve their lead! If they had played like this in the Premier League they would still be there!! Man Utd completely lack creativity and imagination and Derby's commitment,sheer hard work and gutsy performance is paying off right now!"

United certainly not odds-on with Sky Bet any more - they go 9/4 the home win, 7/4 the draw and 13/10 for the domestic, European and world champions to win at Championship strugglers Derby.

45+1 That's half-time and it's Derby who lead. United must be dominating the possession stats but they're yet to trouble Carroll while at the other end Derby have had plenty of chances and could easily be more than 1-0 up.

45+1 Green attempts an ambitious ball over the top for Davies but Rafael does well to track back and clear right on the byline.

45 There will be one minute of added time at the end of the half.

44 Looks like we're meandering somewhat towards half-time now.

43 Anderson appears to handball to halt Davies' progress but the referee waves play on despite the Brazilian even pausing when he got the ball at his feet.

42 Rafael bursts forward again - he's certainly not shy of doing so - but his burst into the Derby box only results in a goal-kick despite Nani's appeals for a corner.

41 Loose touch from Evans this time which Sterjovski latches on to, but Vidic bails his central-defensive partner out and clears.

40 Nani back to his feet with a rueful look on his face. He's straight back onto the field, though, so it can't have been a bad knock.

39 Nani goes down clutching his ribs after a challenge from Connolly. Looked innocuous that one - Connolly certainly did nothing wrong - but the Portuguese is hurt and needs treatment.

38 Another nervy touch from O'Shea as he plays the ball back to Kuszczak, who has to react sharply to hack clear. Momentary panic from O'Shea there as he looked to have underhit it.

37 Comic capers here now as Connolly hacks a cross straight behind. Ironic cheers from the Derby fans. Might have been a different story if they were trailing but they're bullish now - and who can blame them?

36 Sliced attempted clearance from O'Shea causes a bit of panic in the United box and Evans has to concede a throw-in.

35 Just as I write that, Gibson lifts a lovely ball in from the right and United force a corner. Nani curls it in towards Vidic but Carroll punches bravely and well to clear.

35 End-to-end stuff now. Anderson picks up the ball in midfield but slides a terrible ball through to Welbeck - United's final ball this evening has been poor and we've barely seen Tevez so far.

34 Todd powers forward but spurns the chance of a shot and tries to slide it through to Hulse. Sadly for him it's a dreadful ball and flies out for a goal-kick.

33 Another shooting chance for Scholes, this time from 20 yards out. Poor effort, though, curling off target. Surely Derby won't let him have a third shot from that range?

32 Renewed vigour from Derby now - they must be well behind on the possession stats but Carroll hasn't been unduly troubled yet and that goal sets things up very nicely not just tonight but for the rest of the tie.

31 United straight on the counter-attack and Scholes fires in a shot which curls just over. Not happy with the ball from Welbeck there - it wasn't far enough in front of him.

30 GOAL - COMMONS. Derby are in front - and what a goal! Commons picks up the ball around 30 yards out and with no United players closing him down, he lashes it into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Kuszczak.

29 Addison powers forward from midfield and lashes in a shot, but it's never troubling Kuszczak.

28 Lovely link play from Nani and John O'Shea down the inside-right channel presents the Irishman with a shooting chance but his effort is blocked superbly by Green and Derby clear. Lovely stuff from United.

27 Kuszczak does well to punch the free-kick clear in a crowd of bodies, though it drops to the feet of Todd around 20 yards out. His snapshot is poor and sails over.

26 Free-kick to Derby this time. It's around 35 yards from goal with Nani penalised. Good chance for a cross.

25 Davies bursts to the edge of the United box with an arcing run from halfway but his right-footed shot is always screwing well wide.

24 United pick up the scraps and work it back to Nani out wide. His cross reaches Rafael at the back post, but his shot is more of a danger to the fans in the stand than Carroll.

23 Nani dinks the free-kick in towards Evans at the front post, but United have to be content with a corner, which comes to nothing.

22 Free-kick to United out on the left again, this time Tevez fouled. Derby just losing their discipline here and getting sucked into silly tackles, which you can't afford against United.

21 United content to knock the ball around and probe for an opening now having settled into their pattern of play.

20 Cheap free-kick for United around 40 yards out as Connolly fouls Nani from behind. Never any chance of him getting the ball there.

19 Gibson whips a lovely crossfield ball to Gibson, who slides an inviting curling cross in but Welbeck is on his heels and it skips away to safety.

18 Rafael just knocks the ball too far and Nyatanga needs no second invitation to slide in and hammer the ball clear. Rafael took evasive action just in time - that was a real old-school tackle from the Derby man.

17 Scholes overplays in his own half and Derby look to punish him but Commons can't find a way past Evans, who clears for a throw.

16 Bad news for Alastair Ogilvie - Motherwell lead Hearts.

15 Camara goes flying down the left onto Carroll's throw but runs straight into Scholes and cedes possession. Just a sense United have seen off the early Derby onslaught.

14 Finally United revert to their usual slick passing game and force a free-kick out on the left but Nani's ball in is much too close to Carroll and he gathers easily.

13 Despite their bright opening minute, United are struggling to string anything together in the final third and are hitting the ball much too long at the moment. Rafael the latest culprit.

12 The throw comes to nothing but United spring again from midfield only for Welbeck to just fail to keep the ball in as it slips over the Derby byline.

11 Textbook United as the spring on the counter with Scholes and Nani linking up. Welbeck can't latch on to the latter's ball over the top, though, and United have to settle for a throw.

10 Derby fans appeal for a free-kick just outside the United box on the left-hand side, claiming Vidic handled. They have to be content with a throw, though as Kuszczak hacks clear.

10 Great header from captain-for-the-night Vidic to flick it away from Addison seven yards out. Free-kick anyway.

9 Another corner to Derby as Rafael slides in on Davies to turn it behind. Hulse holding the ball up superbly and Green looking a real threat from midfield.

8 Another close-run thing for Derby as the corner breaks to Sterjovski. He lashes in the shot from around 16 yards but Evans is there to kick it clear with Kuszczak beaten.

7 Corner to Derby as Rafael desperately turns behind as Davies lines up a shot from a cross from the left. Good stuff this from the home side - United at sixes and sevens.

6 Great chance for Derby as United defend shambolically. A Hulse header causes chaos in the box as O'Shea takes a crack from Vidic. The ball breaks to Davies who leathers in a shot which Kuszczak parries. Vidic then has to clear.

5 Loose ball from Tevez picked up by Hulse but United get back in numbers and carry it clear. Derby certainly not overaward at the moment.

4 United happy to pass the ball around at the back before Anderson looks long. It's a dreadful ball which sails through to Carroll.

3 Bright start this - could be a cracker. Free-kick to United in the centre circle as Tevez is fouled by Commons. Crowd not impressed.

2 The ball's whipped into the United box from the left and Kuszczak fumbles under pressure from Davies. The ball's lofted goalwards and Evans has to acrobatically clear...but the referee has given a free-kick for Davies' challenge anyway.

1 After a short free-kick, Nani works the ball into the box and Welbeck attempts an overhead kick. He connects but it's not hard enough to really trouble Carroll.

1 United straight on the attack down the left and Nani's flicks and tricks earn an early free-kick as Connolly fouls him.

0 Under way, with United kicking off for the first half.

Scots Jock from a snowy Ontario reckons: "Tevez will be awesome tonight. I say MANU by 4." My verdict? Derby 1 Manchester United 3. Tevez man of the match.

Clough arrives in the directors' box just as the teams take to the field. It's supposed to be a watching brief but I wouldn't bet against him having some input at half-time either way.

For those who didn't pick it up from the team line-ups, Carlos Tevez returns to United's starting line-up. The striker's future has been the subject of much conjecture since he returned from a new year trip to Argentina but he replaces Dimitar Berbatov. Sir Alex Ferguson makes four other changes from Sunday's FA Cup third-round win at Southampton as Tomasz Kuszczak, Rafael da Silva, Paul Scholes and Darron Gibson are also recalled. Academy manager David Lowe takes charge of Derby following the departure of caretaker-boss Chris Hutchings, with new boss Nigel Clough not in position yet. Lowe makes three changes with Paul Connolly returning from injury to captain the side while Andy Todd and Mile Sterjovski are also restored.

Alastair Ogilvie has special reason to go for the United win tonight. He writes: "United better win along with Hearts in the SPL and Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey otherwise my six-match accumulator and £120 is out the window!"

Kristofer Kristjansson reckons: "United certainly haven't been scoring a lot lately, but I think the floodgates will open tonight and we'll see Ferguson's youngsters score 4 or 5. I can't see Derby putting up a real fight here, even with a new manager."

Anyone sticking their neck out for a Derby win? Keith Nelson (a "big United fan") writes: "I believe United will win this game very easily by at least 3 goals making the return leg very comfortable hence quite a few first team players starting tonite."

Fancy Firas' tips? Anderson is 6/1 to score at any time with Sky Bet, with 3-0 United a 9/1 shot.

Firas Al-Samarraie writes: "Strong team out there for United, can't see Cloughie having that much of an impact for the Rams even though he is a legend. 3-0 United. Sticking my chin out and saying Anderson gets his first one for the club. Any takers?"

Aidan Strike reckons: "Manchester United have a strong team but I dont think they will overpower Derby tonight."

Mike in Calgary writes: "My heart says Derby to win 1-0 but my head says Man Utd will win by 2 clear goals."

Joel Kristjansson is the first on the email. He writes: "I think this one will be a close call. Derby will do anything to win this game because they know that playing at Old Trafford will be hard. So I think this one will be a close one but in the end Manchester will win the game by 1 or 2 goals."

Our referee tonight is Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Nani, Tevez, Welbeck. Subs: Amos, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Fletcher, Possebon.

The teams are in. Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Todd, Nyatanga, Camara, Sterjovski, Green, Addison, Commons, Hulse, Davies. Subs: Bywater, Savage, Teale, Barazite, Dickinson, Powell, Hines.

Fancy a little punt to keep things interesting? Sky Bet go 7/1 the home win, 3/1 the draw and 4/9 the away win. Fancy a United win, but at the prices a Derby win is tempting. Elsewhere, United's Carling Cup lynchpin Carlos Tevez is evens to score at any time which looks a nice price.

Welcome to our coverage of this, the second Carling Cup semi-final first leg. Spurs look pretty assured of a place at Wembley after their 4-1 hammering of Burnley last night, so who will prevail here? Derby, of course, watched by new manager Nigel Clough but it's a huge test against the reigning English and European champions. Let me know your thoughts on the match with an email to reece.killworth@bskyb.com