Manchester United Retain Status as the Best in the World After FA Cup Win

Barney Corkhill's Unofficial World Club Championship (UWCC) saw another defence today as newly-crowned champions Manchester United took on Nigel Clough's Derby County at Pride Park.

It was the third time these two teams had met this season, following the two legs in the Carling Cup semi-final, in which Manchester United eventually triumphed.

United went into their first title defence in wonderful form. Their win against West Ham made it 23 matches unbeaten in all competitions. They had got into this FA Cup fifth round match after beating Tottenham in the previous round.

Meanwhile, Derby had secured a tie against United by beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a fourth round replay. They went into the match on the back of three consecutive victories, but were still languishing down in 17th place in the Championship.

True to form, it was the Premier League side who came out on top with a 4-1 victory that was harsh on their opponents.

Derby, who looked unrecognisable to the side who failed so spectacularly in the Premier League last season, put in a battling performance, but the quality of United shone through.

Nani opened the scoring after Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher had come close, and Darron Gibson, one of many youngsters in the United side, made it 2-0 with a somewhat controversial goal just before half-time.

That was not before Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out, again raising controversy. On both occasions, however, it looked like the officials had made the right decision.

Ronaldo got his goal immediately after the interval, however, nodding in Ryan Giggs' free-kick to make it 3-0.

Derby, to their immense credit, never gave up and got a goal back soon after. Their attempts to get another back, including some great openings created by Gary Teale, eventually proved to be to no avail, however, as Danny Wellbeck capped off the scoring with a beautifully taken goal.

United progress to the sixth round of the FA Cup in their quest for five trophies, where they will meet either Swansea or Fulham.

80 percent of voters in the poll said that Derby wouldn't be able to beat United, so well done to everyone who got that right!

Manchester United's run

West Ham 0-1 Manchester United (Manchester United become new champions)

Derby County 1-4 Manchester United

(Click here to see the complete history of Barney Corkhill's Unofficial World Club Championship.)

Manchester United's next title defence comes on Wednesday as they host former champions Fulham at Old Trafford. Could Fulham become the first two-time best club in the world?!