Tevez, who had just returned from a trip home to Argentina, made no impression, further threatening his United future as he waits for a permanent contract.

But not even the arrival of Ronaldo and Rooney in the 63rd could provide the missing spark.

Ronaldo struck wide twice with the best chance coming from a free kick, while Derby pressed to extend its lead.

The best chance of that came with 10 minutes remaining when Commons cut into the penalty area after racing past Evans. His shot was parried by Kuszczak, but Hulse scooped over from the rebound.

"It was a tough game, we didn't have a great game and didn't have many chances," said Vidic. "It is not a great result, but we have the second game at Old Trafford and we can score two goals and win the game."

And Ferguson has vowed to retain emerging players like Rafael da Silva, Darron Gibson and Welbeck in that Jan. 20 match.

"I think we'll persevere with our younger players," Ferguson said. "They deserve to be in there, I felt they were our better players tonight. Gibson certainly was one of the better players.

"I have sympathy for Welbeck, he never really had any service in the game so it would be unfair to judge him."