Derby County put in a sensational shift to come from behind and defeat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford.
The Rams move on to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round after an excellent performance over the Premier League side.
Juan Mata put the home side ahead in the opening minutes, but it was Derby’s game as Frank Lampard’s side dominated. They did have to wait for their rewards, but a stunning goal from Harry Wilson, his second in as many games, and a first goal from Jack Marriott were worth it.
Just as the Rams looked to be heading to the Fourth Round, however, United substitute Marouane Fellaini headed home the equaliser. The Rams were cool and calm to take United down in the shoot out.
Derby were on the attack from the opening whistle as Harry Wilson flashed a cross across goal, that went out, moments after it was blown.
However, just three minutes in the Rams found themselves behind after a well-work goal by the home side. Anthony Martial crossed into Romelu Lukaku in the centre of the box and the Belgium international flicked it back for a one-touch pass through Jesse Lingard to Mata who side-footed it past Scott Carson.
That goal didn’t set the tone for the opening half, as Frank Lampard’s side dominated the possession, but also looked good and worked hard out of it.
Moments after falling behind, the two Masons combined to come close to equalising. Mount fired a cross to Bennett at the far right post but as he lunged into take his shot, Sergio Romero quickly got down on to it.
Derby had shown they were more than capable of stepping up under the beaming floodlights at Old Trafford, pressing high and containing United in their own half. However, when they did break out of it after the 10-minute mark, Lukaku posed a serious threat after getting past Richard Keogh, he face Carson one-on-one. He felt the pressure of Fikayo Tomori though and dragged his shot wide.
Craig Bryson, who again was typifying the work-rate demanded of the Rams, worked excellently and almost found the equaliser as he rifled a shot from range but it was just wide.
It didn’t take long for the Rams to reap the rewards for their efforts in the second half. Wilson, in his second game starting back from injury presented the best chance so far when he sliced a left-footed shot from the left of the box towards the goal. Romero got his hand to it, but it spun back and bounced inches wide.
It was Wilson again just five minutes later, and this time there was nothing the United ‘keeper could do but look behind at the ball in his net. Ashley Young took David Nugent down to win the free-kick from 30-yards out. With Mount and Wilson peering over it, the Liverpool loanee was elected. He sent an absolute beauty of a strike that cut through the air and into the top left corner.
The Rams were not looking to settle and kept pressing for the winner. Bradley Johnson saw his effort from range sail over before United had a rare appearance down the other end as Martial’s try hit the side netting.
Seven minutes after the score was all square, United were reduced to 10 men when Romero handled the ball out of his area as a threatening Wilson closed in.
Former Rams keeper Lee Grant came in to take his place between the sticks and was tested by his ex-side. After an effort by Lukaku hit the woodwork, Florian Jozefzoon who had moments before replaced Nugent, directed a header but Grant got a hand on it to send it wide.
He couldn’t however stop Jack Marriott’s first goal in a Rams shirt. Mount save his shot saved and Marriott poached the deflection and fired past with five minutes to go.
With six minutes of added time, the Rams just needed to hold on, but Marouane Felliani equalised to send the game to penalties.
Mount, Mount, Jozefzoon, Wilson, Marriott and Johnson all calmly converted their spot kicks but so did their Manchester United counter-parts. Bryson, Forsyth and then Keogh stepped up in sudden death and also were impeccable.
Carson had the final say however, as he read Phil Jones and dived to the left to deny Jones and send the Rams to the Fourth Round.
Harry Wilson has been excellent upon his return from injury, not skipping a beat. He has found the back of the net in the first of his two starts back in action, and his first two as a Ram.
His free-kick effort from 30-yards out was a stunning shot that dipped perfectly below the cross bar. He was also vital in sending United down to 10-men as his charge towards the box forced Romero into his error.
Derby County move on to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round but will have to wait to find out their opponent.
The Rams will head north west again on Saturday when they return to Sky Bet Championship action against Bolton Wanderers.
Frank Lampard’s side will then return to Pride Park Stadium next Wednesday to face Norwich City.
Manchester United: Romero; Daldot, Bailly, Jones, Young; Herrera, (Fellaini, 63), Matic; Mata (Grant, 69), Lingard (Fred, 63), Martial; Lukaku
Unused Subs: Sanchez, Smalling, Darmian, McTominay;
Derby County: Carson; Bogle (Wisdom, 85), Keogh, Tomori, Forsyth; Bryson, Johnson; Bennett (Jozefzoon, 76), Mount, Wilson; Nugent (Marriott, 79)
Unused Subs: Waghorn, Roos, Huddlestone, Malone
