A stunning late strike from Jesse Lingard helped Manchester United to beat Derby 2-0 in their FA Cup third-round tie at Old Trafford.
The in-form Championship side looked set to hold out but Lingard's eighth goal in 10 games in the 83rd minute put United ahead and Romelu Lukaku's stoppage-time goal sealed it.
It had looked like being a frustrating night for Jose Mourinho's team as Marcus Rashford hit the post twice and Scott Carson pulled off a series of fine saves for Derby.
But United deserved their win despite the visitors' brave efforts to keep them out and go into the fourth round with hopes of lifting the trophy they last won in 2016.
The home side began brightly and almost all of the attacking players tried their luck in the opening stages, Ander Herrera heading wide and Juan Mata forcing a good save from Carson.
The breakthrough really should have come 10 minutes before the interval when Rashford headed Henrikh Mkhitaryan's right-wing cross against the post from close range.
Mkhitaryan's form remains a concern, surrendering possession sloppily at times, and he was replaced by Lukaku at the interval. By that point, Paul Pogba had tested Carson with another free-kick that the goalkeeper did well to tip wide.
Derby were only an intermittent threat on the counter-attack through the powerful running of former United man Tom Lawrence but they got to the break with hopes of a replay intact.
That looked likely when Rashford's right-footed shot on the angle struck the foot of the post and bounced clear with 20 minutes remaining before Pogba missed another good chance soon after.
But Lingard, in the form of his life, broke the deadlock against the club he was on loan at in 2015 by finding the far corner from just outside the box to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.
There was still time for Lukaku to combine brilliantly on the break with fellow substitute Anthony Martial and mark his return to the squad with a goal, beating Carson with his right foot.
It was cruel on Derby but United deserved their place in the fourth round.
Opta stats
- Manchester United have now progressed from 31 of their last 33 FA Cup third round ties.
- Jose Mourinho has won 12 of his 13 matches against lower league opposition in the FA Cup, failing only against Bradford City in January 2015.
- Jesse Lingard has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season - as many as he scored in 2015/16 and 2016/17 combined.
- Derby have now been eliminated from 10 of their last 11 FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition.
- Manchester United remain unbeaten at home in matches played on Friday since April 1950, winning 15 and drawing six since losing 2-0 to Birmingham under Matt Busby.
- Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score his first goal as a substitute since scoring for Everton against West Ham in March 2014.
The managers
Jose Mourinho: "I think we had a good game. They gave us a difficult game because they defended very, very well. But we deserved the victory. To be honest, I don't think we need a replay. I don't think a team like them fighting for promotion needs a replay but that's the rule of the competition and we almost had to go for a second game."
Gary Rowett: "We started a little bit tentatively, but the key for us really was to go and enjoy it, there was no pressure on us.It was important to see which players could handle it because of course we are aspiring to be playing games like this every week next season."
Man of the match - Jesse Lingard
Lingard has scored only 11 goals in his Manchester United career prior to this season but he has now doubled that total thanks to his goals in the current campaign. It is eight goals in his last 10 games and this was yet another decisive late goal - and a wonderful hit at that.
What's next?
Manchester United are due to host Stoke next time out in the Premier League on Monday Night Football on January 15th. Derby's focus will now return to the Championship and they travel to Birmingham on Saturday January 13th.