Derby County 2-0 Sheffield United: Tom Lawrence gives troubled Rams narrow win
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Derby skipper Tom Lawrence took his tally for the season to seven goals
Wayne Rooney said Derby are "defying the odds", but need help off the pitch after victory over Sheffield United lifted his side off the bottom of the Championship table.
Tom Lawrence's second-half double secured the points, a day after the English Football League imposed a second transfer embargo in 12 months on the club.
The win - a year to the day since Rooney took permanent charge - lifted Derby above Barnsley on goal difference, despite the Rams having had 21 points deducted this season.
"We are picking up some incredible wins, we've come off the bottom of the table, so we need help, and whoever that is (from) needs to ensure they get this resolved as soon as possible," Rooney told BBC Radio Derby.
He said he was told a preferred bidder for the club was set to be unveiled on Thursday, but the subsequent transfer embargo has meant the Rams could not re-sign defender Phil Jagielka and are set to lose midfielder Graeme Shinnie.
"I've gone out and had players lined up which the administrators had given me the green light to do, so to have that taken away by the decision the EFL made was very tough," he added.
"I don't know what group of players I'm going to have for next week. They are not my decisions, they are decisions I can't make, but I can tell you I will get the team ready and prepared for a local derby (against Nottingham Forest).
"What we all want, myself included, the fans, is to know exactly what's going on, to know where we're at.
"Are we going to continue to be in this position from now for the rest of the season, because if so there's going to be some tough times ahead."
Wayne Rooney believes Derby will avoid relegation despite their points deductions
Rooney's year in charge at Pride Park has also seen two separate points deductions, failed takeover bids and administration.
This week, Derby's administrators were told to show the English Football League how they intend to fund the club until the end of the season.
The Rams have responded well to setbacks this season - they followed their second points deduction in November by beating promotion contenders Bournemouth - and showed the same spirit again to secure a fourth win in an unbeaten five-match league run.
The visitors, led by assistant managers Stuart McCall and Jack Lester after boss Paul Heckingbottom tested positive for Covid-19, edged a first half low on clear chances, with Billy Sharp guiding a close-range header straight at Derby goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
The Blades, who arrived on a winning four-match run, faded in the second half as the home side improved.
Chances remained at a premium until Lawrence stepped up with two fine goals in nine minutes.
The Rams captain wriggled clear of a gaggle of defenders and then beat another two before beating goalkeeper Wes Foderingham with a left-foot finish to put the hosts ahead.
Wales international Lawrence then doubled the lead with a sensational second, curling a left-footed finish into the top corner after being teed up by Craig Forsyth.
Derby's eighth win of the season moves them up to 23rd, eight points adrift of safety, while United's first defeat in six matches drops them to 14th.
McCall said the result was "hugely disappointing" for United.
"We always felt it was going to be a tight game because when you look at Derby, ok they're rooted at the bottom, but they've three more points than us if you don't take the deductions away from them," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"From their point of view, it's two bits of individual brilliance (for the goals), from our point of view, we've had the ball in good areas but the final ball or the final movement just wasn't good enough."