Jesse Lingard again came up with the goods and Romelu Lukaku was also on target as Manchester United left it late to seal a 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Derby County.
England midfielder Lingard let fly from outside the area with six minutes remaining for his fifth goal in his past six outings to finally break the resistance of the spirited Rams.
It was a huge relief for a United side that appeared destined for a frustrating third-round replay having wasted a glut of chances, and Lukaku made sure of the win in the closing stages.
Marcus Rashford was the guiltiest party in the first half with a poor point-blank header that he tamely nodded against the post.
The England forward was unlucky to see another effort crash against the woodwork in the second half, while Paul Pogba was also profligate.
Lingard and Lukaku spared the home side's blushes, but questions will remain over United's ability to get over the line in games, with the 2-0 win over Everton last time out ending a run of four matches without a victory - including a shock 2-1 defeat to Bristol City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
FT - 2 Derby 0.A screamer and a cool finish from send us through to the next round of the ! January 5, 2018
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack
