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United end ten-man Manchester City's cup defence

Having reversed his decision to retire, Paul Scholes made his Manchester United FC comeback as the Red Devils beat holders Manchester City FC 3-2 in a relentless FA Cup third round tie.

Wayne Rooney (centre) is congratulated after scoring one of his two goals against Manchester City
Wayne Rooney (centre) is congratulated after scoring one of his two goals against Manchester City ©AFP

Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first half as Manchester United FC defeated ten-man Manchester City FC 3-2 in a pulsating FA Cup third round tie.

United − beaten 6-1 at home by their neighbours in October − were a goal up at the City of Manchester Stadium after ten minutes when Rooney, having spread the play to Antonio Valencia, headed in the winger's return cross.

The holders' task became stiffer when Vincent Kompany (11) was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Nani. Danny Welbeck volleyed in the second on the half-hour mark, beating Nigel de Jong to Patrice Evra's deflected cutback inside the penalty area.

Rooney (40) seemed to have made sure of United's place in the fourth round with a header on the rebound after Costel Pantilimon had saved his spot kick, but City rallied after the break, reducing their arrears through an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick.

Having surprisingly reversed his decision to retire, Paul Scholes came on for Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the second half, but a loose touch from the midfielder allowed James Milner to cross for Sergio Agüero (65), who scored at the second attempt.

Despite late pressure, the Premier League leaders could not prevent their first home defeat in any competition since 20 December 2010. Chelsea FC, meanwhile, ran out 4-0 winners against Portsmouth FC, though there was only a goal in it with five minutes left, and Sunderland AFC prevailed 2-0 at Peterborough United FC.

All of the weekend's FA Cup results can be found here.

FA Cup fourth round ties involving top-flight clubs
Brighton & Hove Albion FC or Wrexham FC v Newcastle United FC
Sunderland AFC v Middlesbrough FC
MK Dons FC or Queens Park Rangers FC v Chelsea FC
West Bromwich Albion FC v Norwich City FC
Arsenal FC or Leeds United AFC v Aston Villa FC
Watford FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC
Everton FC v Fulham FC
Macclesfield Town FC or Bolton Wanderers FC v Swansea City AFC
Sheffield United FC v Birmingham City FC or Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Ties to take place on the weekend of 28/29 January.

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