Manchester United moved to the top of the league table with a hard fought victory over Derby County in their Premiership encounter on Saturday.

Tipped to win the match by a big margin, United struggled to find their rhythm for most of the match as Derby managed to keep out the visitors attack for 77 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 31st goal of the campaign.

United expectedly started the match on the attack and created their first chance in the opening minute when Ryan Giggs narrowly headed Ji Sung Park's cross over the bar.

The visitors dominated the possession and the chances in the first half with Derby happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. Ronaldo twice came close to breaking the deadlock but saw his first attempt hit the post while Roy Carroll pulled off a great save to deny the winger from 12 yards out.

Ben Foster had an impressive debut for United in the goal, brilliantly denying Kenny Miller twice with the Derby striker in great position to put his side in the lead. Ronaldo finally hit the target in the 77th minute after missing a host of chances in the first half.

Wayne Rooney found himself in space on the left flank and raced towards the byline before crossing the ball into the area for Ronaldo to tap home from six yards out. Derby pressed ahead in search of an equalizer but the United defense held on to collect all three points from the game.