It was meant to be a day of celebration at Old Trafford, with United presented with the Premiership trophy after the match against Derby.

But a superb strike by Malcolm Christie, some superb goalkeeping by Mart Poom and resolute Derby defending meant the loudest cheers came from the away supporters at the final whistle.

Roy Keane raised the Premiership trophy after the match, but the United skipper had played no part in the game, suspended following his dismissal in the Manchester derby for that awful lunge at Alfie Haaland.

Ferguson took the chance to give more experience to Michael Stewart, presented with United’s reserve team player of the year award before kick-off, and Luke Chadwick in midfield, and to Ronnie Wallwork at centre-back.

Rams boss Jim Smith had to cope with Seth Johnson and Deon Burton suspended, and Branko Strupar and Craig Burley injured.

United’s young tyros were determined to seize their chance, and central midfielder Stewart was involved in some good link play as United exerted some early pressure.

With Derby defending in depth and number, the game settled immediately into a pattern of United dominating possession, with the Rams gritting their teeth at the back.

With Ryan Giggs on the bench, Chadwick seized his chance to impress and was the spark for most of United’s best moments in the first half.

Youl Mawene just could not handle the winger, and resorted to fouling him instead.

Two free-kicks were won by Chadwick in perfect David Beckham territory, but the first effort struck the wall and the other was turned over for a corner by Rams’ keeper and captain Poom.

For Derby, with their strike-force so reduced that Lee Morris was playing as an emergency attacker, Christie was virtually the only threat.

It was he who had the first shot of note, when Giorgi Kinkladze’s astute pass found his run. Christie’s shot had power and accuracy, but Fabien Barthez got down well to make the save.

Chadwick showed more flashes of class, first setting up Andy Cole up for a shot, only for the striker to delay too long and be robbed by Chris Riggott. Soon after, Chadwick combined with Cole again, this time seizing a shooting chance himself but the ball looped over the bar.

Christie had just bobbled a half-chance into Barthez’s arms when in the 33rd minute he stunned Old Trafford.

When he picked up Kinkladze’s pass in the right of the area, he was surrounded by red shirts and appeared to be trapped in a United cul-de-sac.

But a swift turn and shimmy gave him a glimpse of goal, and that was all he needed as he struck a magnificent left-foot curler into the corner beyond the despairing reach of Barthez.

United immediately stepped up the pace and Sheringham tested Poom with a header while Wallwork, up for a corner, had a shot blocked when it seemed destined for the back of the net.

There was more urgency in United’s play after the break, and six minutes into the second half, Beckham whipped in a good ball and though Cole was first to meet the cross, he was off-balance and did not trouble Poom.

A minute later and Christie was responsible for the sort of miss that leaves managers and team-mates, not to mention fans, holding their heads in despair.

Morris did fantastically when after, beating United’s offside trap he took the ball past Barthez. Though his path to goal was blocked by Phil Neville, he kept his cool and rolled a pass invitingly to Christie who was unmarked six yards out.

He had time and space but somehow managed the miss the target completely.

United don’t usually let opponents get away with such largesse and Nicky Butt’s thunderous strike nearly made them pay but Derby managed to get a body in the way.

Derby were living dangerously, and with 25 minutes remaining Ferguson brought Giggs on for Stewart and pushed Beckham into central midfield.

Cole, Sheringham and Butt all had a sniff of goal as the ball bobbled around the Derby box but the defenders threw themselves in the way.

Derby’s free-kick specialist Horacio Carbonari hammered a 30-yard drive of such power that Barthez could only parry it and grab it at the second attempt.

Poom then came to the rescue with a brilliant save to deny Cole after good work by Giggs.

Cole’s shot was blocked by the sprawling Poom and though Giggs seized onto the loose ball his goal-bound strike was cleared by Chris Riggott by the post.

For the last 10 minutes, United laid siege to Derby’s goal but Poom rallied his defenders and together they refused to budge.