Premiership: United take 2-0 interval lead

Manchester Utd 2, Derby Co 0 (half-time)

Manchester United look to have returned to winning ways as they take a 2-0 lead into the dressingroom at half-time against Derby County.

Van Nistelrooy seemed determined to end United’s slump single-handed and after Oakes saved one right-footed effort in the second minute, he robbed Youl Mawene and fired over from another half chance.

Despite van Nistelrooy’s flying start, it was his strike partner Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who opened the scoring after six minutes.

United worked a free-kick out to Mikael Silvestre on the left and when the Frenchman crossed into the area, Solskjaer controlled the ball beautifully with his first touch and then lashed it past Oakes with his second.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 and this time Solskjaer was the goalmaker rather than goaltaker.

The Norwegian received the ball on the right-hand side of the Derby box and drove it across to the back post for Roy Keane to knock home his first goal of the season.

The goals gave United the lift they so badly needed and they began to look like their old selves.

Back was the confidence, which has been so lacking in recent weeks, and they were passing the ball well.

Veron tried for a third, but his free-kick from around 25 yards out was well held by Oakes.