Nigel Clough brought a touch of the old family magic back to Derby.
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Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (in red) vies for the ball during their match against Derby County yesterday. pics/AP |
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Clough, who takes over as boss at Pride Park today, saw his side stun United in this Carling Cup semi-final, first leg in a way that would have made dad Brian proud.
United boss Alex Ferguson admitted, "Only losing 1-0 was a fantastic result for us. Considering the performance. We could have lost four goals. It's a fantastic result for us now and going to Old Trafford now it will be different.
"We were so bad that Derby will rue the fact they didn't score more.
"But you can expect to recover taking any team back to Old Trafford with a 1-0 deficit and I am sure we will."
Kris Commons hit Derby's 30-yard winner and said, "That was up there with the best I have ever scored.
'Tough test'
"It will be a tough test at Old Trafford in the second leg. But we will enjoy it for this week, telling people we have beaten Manchester United."
Commons struck on the half-hour mark and United rarely looked like putting themselves in pole position to face either Tottenham or Burnley in the final at Wembley on March 1.
Academy boss David Lowe took charge of County for this tie, as Clough watched from the directors' box.
He said, "It was a case of sheer hard work, enthusiasm and passion."
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