The match was heating up as Derby County continued to surprise everyone at Old Trafford. The tempo was relentless, with each side creating chances but failing to capitalize. Manchester United's defense, which he expected to be solid, seemed to be under constant pressure. Pogba was forced into making hurried passes, Fred was playing far too conservatively, and Bruno Fernandes had yet to show his usual magic.
David Jones, however, had been a revelation. Every time the ball came to his feet, something special seemed to happen. His dribbles were a blur of speed and precision, cutting through the United defense like a hot knife through butter. The fans had begun to take notice, their chants growing louder with each dazzling turn and step-over.
In the 35th minute, Derby County was on the counter again. Jason Knight intercepted a pass in midfield and quickly played the ball through to David, who was already in full stride. David's eyes flicked up to see Shaw, who had been struggling to keep up with him throughout the match. Shaw had always been a reliable fullback, but David was in a different league today. With a deft flick of the ball, David pulled it away from Shaw's tackle, leaving the Manchester United left-back trailing behind.
The crowd gasped in awe as David flicked the ball to the side, side-stepping Shaw in one fluid motion. He accelerated past him, the ball glued to his feet, before bursting into the space just outside the box. The Manchester United defenders scrambled back, but David was already lining up his shot.
It was now or never.
With a quick glance at the goal, he planted his left foot and swung his right boot in a perfect arc. The ball soared, curling away from De Gea's reach, and smashed into the top corner of the net. A wave of euphoria erupted from the Derby County supporters in the stands, and a loud roar filled the stadium. The away fans were jubilant, waving their scarves and jumping up and down as the players celebrated in front of them.
The commentators went wild.
"What a goal!" the first commentator shouted. "David Jones, the young prodigy, has just scored a sensational strike at Old Trafford! What a piece of individual brilliance! He took on Shaw like he wasn't even there and finished with the precision of a veteran. You can't teach that kind of talent. That is a world-class goal!"
David jones scores (derby county leads) 0-1
His partner added, "Incredible. We've seen flashes of this from Jones throughout the FA Cup, but that... that was something else. What a way to make your mark at the Theater of Dreams!"
David, arms outstretched, was soaking in the moment. His teammates swarmed him in celebration, all shouting his name, patting him on the back, and lifting him up. Jason Knight was the first to hug him, grinning from ear to ear.
"You did it, mate!" Jason yelled, clearly impressed. "That was world-class! You just tore Shaw a new one!"
David could barely contain his excitement. He had always dreamed of scoring at Old Trafford, but to score like this—to leave defenders in his wake and silence the crowd—was beyond what he could have imagined. The fans in the stands were still cheering, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped. He had just stunned one of the world's biggest football clubs with his skill.
Back on the field, United's players were visibly shaken. Shaw was standing, hands on his hips, shaking his head in disbelief. The man who had guarded the likes of Lionel Messi and Eden Hazard in the past was outpaced by a teenager in the FA Cup.
At the sideline, Ole Gunnar Solskjær was visibly furious. His arms were crossed tightly, and his face was a picture of frustration. His team, despite their star-studded lineup, had been completely outclassed by a Championship side. And now they were 1-0 down to a goal that looked like something from a highlight reel.
He muttered to his assistant, "How could we let that happen? Shaw, Maguire, all of them—just poor. Just... poor."
As the match continued, it was clear that Manchester United was rattled. The players struggled to find any rhythm. Rashford tried to make a run down the left wing but was snuffed out by Derby's midfield. Ighalo, usually helpful since they loan him, looked frustrated as the ball seemed to always find its way back into Derby's possession.
In contrast, Derby County was playing with newfound belief. They had silenced the Old Trafford crowd, and now they were dictating the match. Every time David touched the ball, the fans in the stands were on their feet, cheering him on, urging him to do more magic.
The half was drawing to a close, but David was still riding the wave of his incredible goal. As he jogged back to his position, he glanced up at the scoreboard. Just five minutes left. The reality of what he had just done was starting to sink in.
This was it. His moment.
The ball came to him once more, and he passed it to Jason. But before David could get a chance to show off again, the referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the first half. The Derby County players were still buzzing with adrenaline, the fans chanting and singing in delight.
But it was on the touchline that the moment truly took shape. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's face had changed. His frustration had turned into something else—a glimmer of recognition, perhaps. As the players made their way to the tunnel, Ole's eyes locked onto David. The young star was walking with a confident smile on his face, clearly proud of his performance.
For a split second, Ole's usual scowl faded, and a spark of something almost like respect lit up in his eyes. He had seen something special—something he hadn't expected.
He turned to his assistant and muttered, "That kid's got something... He's different."
As David disappeared into the tunnel, his heart was still racing. The goal had been everything he'd dreamed of. But more than that, it had been a moment where he had truly believed in himself. He had just silenced one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. And it felt... incredible.
The halftime whistle blew, and the stadium was alive with noise. But for David, this was just the beginning. There was still a second half to play, and he was more than ready to keep the magic flowing.