Derby County boss Gary Rowett has paid tribute to his players for their work ethic during Friday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Derby, who are second in the Championship table, frustrated United for long spells, but late goals from Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku saw the 20-time English champions advance.

Rowett has claimed that the match was more important for United than it was to his team, who will now be able to fully concentrate on sealing a return to the Premier League.

"The lads worked incredibly hard and had to against a star-studded line-up. I think they showed us respect with the line-up they put out," Rowett told BBC Sport.

"We stuck at it and rode one or two moments of luck and started to get ourselves into the game. After weathering the moments out then you could hang on for the draw or nick one. We spoke about having no pressure but really for me it was a test to see who could handle it.

"We moved the ball with confidence and control. Of course it was fleeting but when we exerted pressure I thought we caused Manchester United uncomfortable moments. I think it was a more important game for Man Utd than it was or us. We're second in our league and that's our only focus really."

Derby will return to Championship action with a trip to Birmingham City next weekend.