SOCCER/Derby 1 Manchester Utd 0: IN THE seven years their managerial careers overlapped in England, Brian Clough used to love getting one over on the pre-knighted Alex Ferguson, and now there is a fighting chance that the son of Old Big 'Ead can keep up family traditions.

Nigel Clough will certainly be encouraged by his first impressions of a Derby side that deserve the slender lend they will take to Old Trafford for the second leg of this semi-final.

The imbalance of talent between these teams is so immense Manchester United should still be considered favourites to reach Wembley. Last night, however, was as poor a performance from United for as long as Ferguson will care to remember.

Derby, on the other hand, seemed to be inspired by Clough's presence in the directors' box.

For the English, European and world champions to manage just two shots on target against the team which was relegated from the Premier League last season with a record-low points total was certainly bizarre; the only consolation for Ferguson was that the damage was limited to Kris Commons' goal on the half-hour.

Derby may regret their missed chances. Had Rob Hulse not turned an easy chance over the crossbar in the 80th-minute Clough's side would have been protecting a two-goal lead in the return leg on January 20th.

Derby's record over the past 18 months has been so abysmal Ferguson must have been taken aback by the manner in which the Championship's 18th-placed team caused so many anxious moments in the visiting defence.

United never look as assured when Rio Ferdinand is missing and, on this evidence, they will be clinging to the hope that he has recovered from his back problems in time to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It was certainly an uncomfortable evening at times for both of United's centre-halves, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, and Ferguson will wince when he sees the replays of how Commons was allowed to advance, unchallenged, towards the penalty area en route to punishing Derby's opponents for their lethargy.

It needs only the most basic research to appreciate that Commons is the most accomplished striker of a ball at Pride Park and, given the time and space to pull back that gifted left foot, his elegant shot flew just inside Tomasz Kuszczak's left-hand post for a splendid goal.

By half-time, the team in red had not seriously threatened Derby's goal. Carlos Tevez's attacking partnership with the 18-year-old Daniel Welbeck had lacked any form of cohesion and, on the wings, Nani and Darron Gibson had offered little width or penetration.

Derby, in stark contrast, had looked lively and enthusiastic, quick to the ball and strong in the challenge.

It was easy to imagine a whole wedding's set of crockery being smashed in the away dressingroom, but when the teams re-emerged there was no immediate improvement.

There was voluble dissent from the away end after the infuriating Nani wasted a corner and then a well-placed free-kick and, in between, Rafael da Silva was booked for a cynical tug on Commons that might have tempted referee Phil Dowd to produce a red card had it been in a more central position.

As the game wore on, however, Derby began to defend increasingly deeply. This encouraged their opponents and, for the first time, United finally began to put together some prolonged spells of possession and there was a collective shiver of apprehension among the home supporters in the 63rd minute when Ferguson brought on Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo for Welbeck and Paul Scholes.

Even then, United struggled to break down resolute opponents. Ronaldo sent a dipping, swerving free-kick inches wide, but there was little else and, soon afterwards, Hulse blazed over an open goal from a Commons rebound.

How damaging will that miss be for Derby?

DERBY COUNTY: Carroll, Connolly, Todd (Savage 87), Nyatanga, Camara, Sterjovski (Teale 58), Green, Addison, Commons, Hulse, Davies (Barazite 81). Subs not used: Bywater, Dickinson, Powell, Hines. Booked: Teale, Connolly.

MANCHESTER UTD: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Anderson (Carrick 74), Scholes (Ronaldo 63), Gibson, Nani, Tevez, Welbeck (Rooney 63). Subs not used: Amos, Giggs, Fletcher, Possebon. Booked: Rafael Da Silva.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).