It had the potential to be an FA Cup banana skin but Manchester United swept aside Derby with relative ease to reach the quarter-finals.
Ole Gunnar's Solskjaer 's side are building momentum and rallied to win 3-0 after weathering an early storm at Pride Park.
Luke Shaw's opener and Odion Ighalo's double were the difference but all eyes, even from the away end, were on one man.
It was Wayne Rooney 's night as the Old Trafford legend faced the team he spent 13 trophy-laden years with for, perhaps, the final time.
The English football hero turned headsin the heart of the Derby midfield and he was left impressed by Scott McTominay who starred for the visitors.
And even though Rooney was desperate for victory he found time to come to the aide of the 23-year-old as the academy product became embroiled in a heated exchange with the Louie Sibley in the second half.
Rooney was quick to calm McTominay and as he offered words of encouragement for a player who becomes more important for United with each passing game.
The boyhood United fan isn't short of technical skill but it's his undying commitment to the cause that most likely earned a special word from Rooney.
With the likes of Paul Pogba missing, McToninay's role in is more important than ever and the club icon's message was certainly heeded.
Much has been made of United's tumultuous six-year run since Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his career but there's a sense that English football's biggest club are turning a corner after several false dawns.
And they'll need McTominay's endeavour to get them there.
Rooney, not immune to his own moments of ill-temper throughout his own career, might no longer loom large at Carrington but his call to single out McTominay speaks volumes about the high regard he has for the Scotland star.
Jose Mourinho's United spell ended in a sour note but the Special One was certain the player he plucked from the reserves was going all the way.
And Rooney appears to think the same.
Steve Clarke is being urged by many to consider Billy Gilmour for international consideration but the Scotland boss already has a ready-made star primed to end 22 years of hurt.
