Substitute Jordi Cruyff saved Alex Ferguson's side from a second Premiership defeat after Derby had looked set to take all three points following a goal from Jamaican international Deon Burton.

BBC Radio 5 Live final whistle match report

The match was delayed by 15 minutes because of traffic congestion and it took until 74 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by Burton.

With nine minutes to go Ferguson then gambled on a three man substitution, Jesper Blomqvist and Paul Scholes joining Cruyff on the pitch after a lacklustre United performance.

The switch soon paid off - four minutes after the trio's arrival, the Dutchman shot past Russell Hoult and into the far corner to haul United level.

The goal was his second of the month and further evidence of his return to form after a nightmare run of injuries.

After United had hit 11 goals in their last two games, Derby were expected to come like Rams to the slaughter after losing their last three games.

Manager Jim Smith responded by handing Burton his first start of the campaign, while skipper Igor Stimac returned to bolster the defence and maintain an impressive recent record against United.

They went into the game boasting a record of just one defeat in their last four league encounters with United, but were nearly behind within two minutes.

Early United chance

A blunder from Stefan Schnoor let in Dwight Yorke but the German recovered to deflect the Tobagan's shot away for a corner.

Schnoor was then booked for a foul on Beckham, although the home supporters clearly felt he had dived and predictably booed the England midfielder.

Derby's first chance came in the 20th minute when Sturridge had a shot deflected wide before Stimac went close from the resultant corner.

For United, impressive teenager Wes Brown and Butt also went close before half time, as Derby ended the first half on top.

United were feeling the pressure and Cole was booked for not retreating at a Derby freekick 25 yards out. He might have later been sent off when he obstructed Sturridge outside the box.

Dorigo debut

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, the Costa Rican went down in the box claiming he had been fouled.

Burton, Wanchope and Darryl Powell also went close and at the other end, Prior made a vital interception when he cut out a Cole cross bound for the unmarked Giggs at the back post.

Butt wasted another United chance, before Derby's goal.

Dorigo back-heeled the ball to Powell and he crossed for Burton to touch it past Schmeichel into the far corner.

Then came Ferguson's changes and Cruyff's equaliser to keep United within four points of leaders Aston Villa.

Derby

Hoult, Schnoor, Powell, Stimac, Sturridge, Wanchope, Delap, Laursen, Prior, Carsley, Burton. Subs: Poom, Dorigo, Carbonari, Elliot, Baiano.

Man Utd

Schmeichel, G. Neville, Stam, Beckham, Butt, Cole, Giggs, P. Neville, Keane, Yorke, Brown. Subs: Cruyff, Blomqvist, Van Der Gouw, Scholes, Berg.