Cristiano Ronaldo's first domestic goal since November helped Manchester United book a place in the Carling Cup final with a 4-2 victory over Derby County on Tuesday.

But Alex Ferguson's joy at reaching a 14th domestic final was soured by more players joining the injury list.

Nani took 16 minutes to wipe out Derby's 1-0 first-leg advantage, and further goals from John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez looked to have put the match beyond reach of the League Championship strugglers.

But Derby substitute Giles Barnes scored twice in the final 10 minutes around Ronaldo's penalty to threaten extra time as United's wounded struggled.

Goalscorer Nani hobbled off with an undisclosed injury, while Anderson, who had been limping badly, was carried off after the final and went to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle. His status was not known.

Injuries to defenders Jonny Evans (ankle) and Rafael da Silva (hamstring) and a knock to Gary Neville could severely hamper Ferguson's options at the back, with Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown already sidelined.

Ferguson fears Rafael will be out for a "few weeks" with hamstring trouble, but Evans could return for next Tuesday's match at West Bromwich Albion after missing Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Tottenham.

"We have a few injuries tonight so it has been a bad night in that respect but we are in the final and we should be celebrating that," Ferguson said. "Finals are always hard to get in to and the young lads have done fantastically well to get there."

"It was a great performance and the youngsters will all be playing in the final. The important thing is to find out what their temperament is and they have all proved that tonight."

The Red Devils will discover on Wednesday whether Spurs will be their opponent in the March 1 League Cup final by protecting a 4-1 advantage over Burnley.

Having already won the Club World Cup in December, the English Premier League leaders remain the only club in contention for all three domestic trophies and the Champions League.

Despite trailing 1-0 from Pride Park two weeks ago, Ferguson still gave emerging talents such as striker Danny Welbeck, midfielder Darron Gibson and rightback Rafael valuable first-team experience. Veterans Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were included to ensure there would be no repeat of the first-leg slipup.

Derby did provide a scare in the seventh minute after Gibson twice gave after the ball and Kris Commons came within the width of the post of replicating his stunning goal two weeks ago, unleashing a fierce 30-yard thunderbolt that beat Ben Foster.

Nani levelled the aggregate score in similar fashion. After drifting forward unchallenged from the halfway line, the Portugal winger curled in a dipping shot that former United goalkeeper Roy Carroll could get only the faintest of touches to.

Neat linkup play between Tevez and Welbeck in the 22nd minute released O'Shea, who was given time to pause before poking the ball into the bottom right.

Slack defending cost Derby dearly in the 34th minute when Tevez headed Rafael's cross between two static defenders and beyond Carroll.

Rafael hit the outside of the post from a tight angle before being forced off injured and replaced by midfielder Darren Fletcher.

After the break, Giggs, had a free kick pumped wide by Carroll then picked up a knock and was replaced by Ronaldo.

Evans was struggling but couldn't be brought off because United had used all three substitutes, and he conceded a penalty by fouling Paul Green. The substitute Barnes scored the spot kick to set up a tense final 10 minutes.

Another Derby goal would have sent the game into extra time and Barnes sent a free header from Robbie Savage's cross over minutes later.

Ronaldo converted a penalty kick after Tevez had been hauled down by Carroll, but United continued to relax and Barnes struck a free kick in off the post in stoppage time.

The fightback encouraged Derby manager Nigel Clough despite a second consecutive loss since taking charge after 10 years at non-league side Burton.

"It would be very easy to give up the ghost, 3-0 down at Old Trafford, and we could have been on the end of five or six," Clough said. "I asked them to defend a bit better and have a go and I thought we did that. We took the game to them as much as we could."

In the FA Cup, Aston Villa discovered that Doncaster will await in Saturday's fourth round after beating Cheltenham 3-0 in a third-round replay.

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