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United Sees Off City in Manchester Classic
January 08, 2012

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Manchester, England. Manchester United held on to quell a spirited second-half comeback by Manchester City as it knocked the holder out of the FA Cup with a 3-2 third-round win on Sunday.

United, which brought 37-year-old midfielder Paul Scholes out of retirement as a second-half substitute, seemed to be in control at the home of its local rival after two first-half goals from Wayne Rooney, another from Danny Welbeck and the sending-off of City captain Vincent Kompany.

But Premier League-leading City responded with an early second half-goal from Aleksandar Kolarov and, after Sergio Aguero struck with 25 minutes remaining, the Blues appeared on the brink of a remarkable comeback.

Kolarov nearly forced a replay in stoppage time with a stinging free kick from the edge of the area that was only parried by United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard before being scrambled to safety.

City had enjoyed a commanding opening spell before the visitor scored with its first foray into the home half. Rooney fed Antonio Valencia wide on the right before moving into the area and meeting the winger’s cross with a spectacular header which went in off the underside of the bar.

Within two minutes, City had more of a mountain to climb after referee Chris Foy deemed Kompany’s two-footed challenge on Nani worthy of a red card. It appeared harsh, given that the City defender won the ball without making contact with his opponent.

On the half hour, United seemed to take a stranglehold on proceedings when Welbeck doubled the lead. It stretched its lead further after 38 minutes when Welbeck was tripped by Kolarov.

Rooney took a poor penalty, which was saved by Costel Pantilimon, but he pounced on the rebound and headed it into the net.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson drew huge cheers from the visiting fans by replacing Nani with Scholes just before the hour.

Soon afterward, City made it 3-2. Scholes was badly at fault for the goal, gifting the ball to James Milner deep in United territory.

Milner’s cross found Aguero, whose initial shot was parried by Lindegaard, and the City forward scored from the rebound.

Agence France-Presse