Manchester City – Manchester United

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1218/waynerooneycelebvqpr_275x155.jpg">

Man United will need the man in the papers, Wayne Rooney, to rediscover his form is United are to win at City. Join Chris Murphy for live commentary.

Afternoon all, a rather seismic slice of team news to greet you this afternoon - Paul Scholes is back as a player at Manchester United until the end of the season, and he makes the bench today. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1005940/paul-scholes-signs-for-man-united-for-rest-of-season?cc=5739" target="_blank">Read all about it here</a>.

All the other team news seems miniscule compared to the Scholes bombshell but here it is. Wayne Rooney starts in the wake of all those leaving rumours while defender Chris Smalling returned from illness and Anders Lindegaard retained his place in goal.

City are without Africa Nations Cup players Yaya and Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry is suspended and Mario Balotelli is injured. Costel Pantilimon replaced rested goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is on the bench.

The FA Cup third round is normally all about giant-killings and minnows taking on the big boys but here we are, with the two current powerhouses of English football going head-to-head. The holders or the Premier League champions are going out at the first hurdle.

Zero interaction between the players as they line-up in the tunnel and emerge to a wall of sound.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0108/paulscholesmufcwarm-upvmcfc20120108_275x155.jpg"><br>Paul Scholes was the main focus of attention in the warm up

Cordial handshakes between the managers and we are all set.

<b>KICK OFF</b>

De Jong sends Aguero down the wing as City go forward first.

A nice dusting of rain falling too, befitting of a Manchester derby. City the more lively in the early stages as Milner's cross is cleared by Ferdinand.

Richards has a good chance to cross and picks out Silva but though his chest control is good, Carrick gets a foot in. United hemmed in at present.

Wasteful from Silva after a lovely flick to him from Aguero. He should have had a pop but chose to try and find Milner and Smalling was across.

Valencia does well to shield the ball out of play as Kolarov tried to beat him to the byline.

Some slack play from Ferdinand and Lindegard as they dawdled and Aguero charged down the goalkeeper's clearance. Goal kick.

Johnson cuts inside Evra and is fouled. Free kick wide right.

Kolarov looks like he tried to shoot with that one, he hits Welbeck on the end of a two man wall. Bizarre choice.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney header!

Fantastic goal, Rooney spreads it wide to Valencia, then rises to nod in his cross off the bar. Superb football.

The first time United had broken with any intent and they score. Rooney enjoyed that one, flashing the badge on his shirt to the City fans after a cracking header.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Kompany sent off for a two-footed tackle in which he won the ball.

You could see as soon the tackle went in the referee was going to send him off. Kompany went in two-footed, won the ball and didn't make much contact with Nani. A tricky one.

Superb save from Lindegaard as Aguero sent a curling shot towards the top corner. Fantastic save.

A straight red card for Kompany means a three-match ban too. Debate raging here in the office, we can see why he was sent off but few agree with it.

Phil Jones has limped off with what looks like a knee injury - the last thing United need. Sustained in a collision with Smalling I think.

What a dramatic two minutes of football, United now 1-0 up and playing against ten men. Big favourties now.

Jones is back on as Johnson makes room past Evra and crosses but Carrick boots clear. Proper cup tie this one.

Superb take from Aguero, he turns away and is tackled from behind by Giggs. City fans scream for a card.

Milner has gone to right back and Micah Richards is now at centre half.

Great crossfield pass from Rooney and an outrageous first time flick from Valencia but Jones then can't wrap his foot round the cross.

Silva finds Kolarov inside the area and City shout optimistically for a penalty as it hits Jones. Nothing doing.

Superb play from Silva as he skips a couple of challenges and strikes on goal - it deflects off Ferdinand for a corner.

Good football from United, spreading City wide. Jones turns in a good low cross but Lescott hacks clear. Then Jones upends Aguero with a kick and is lucky not to be carded.

Nice link between Milner and Johnson and a good cross but Jones heads away. City still pushing plenty of players forward and still an even game.

Acres of space for Giggs in the centre of the park - he finds Nani but his shot is blocked by Richards.

Sloppy pass from Ferdinand and Silva finds Aguero, he sidesteps Smalling and hits the side-netting.

Every United free kick is howled and booed by the City fans now, as you would expect.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Welbeck stunner!

A superb finish as Evra's cross bounced up on the penalty spot and Welbeck leaps in the air to hook it into the corner of the net. A long way back for City now.

Three efforts on goal from United and two goals. Not bad. 6-1 anyone?

It depends on what City want to achieve now. If they keep pushing to get back on terms there's a chance United could rack up the goals. Do they shut things up and got for a late burst instead?

It's not often the holders go out in the third round is it? Unless something dramatic happens in the next hour, it could happen in 2012.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Chris Foy, perhaps feeling the pressure from the crowd, books Welbeck for a clumsy tackle. Never a booking.

Nani is penalised for a foul throw for the second time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And for complaining bitterly about it, he gets a needless card. Foy, get a grip.

United firmly in control now, stroking the ball around in midfield under little pressure.

<b>MAN UTD PENALTY</b> Kolarov brings down Welbeck and this tie could be over in a few seconds.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney's penalty is saved but he nods home the rebound. Game over.

How demoralising for City - United fans lapping this up after their 6-1 panning earlier in the season. They can smell blood, singing: "We want seven."

Walking pace for United now as they stroke it around at will before Jones fires in a dangerous cross, and Rooney's shot is saved by Pantilimon on the bounce.

I wonder what Fergie's instructions will be at half time - go and get six or save your legs and take a three or four nil win?

A thankless task for Aguero now, playing the lone striker with no-one in support of him.

The red card has killed the game and it is a shame but we've had a bundle of talking points in this opening half as Welbeck narrowly fails to make it four from Valencia's brilliant cross.

<b>HALF TIME</b> An incredible opening half of football, three goals, a missed penalty, a red card for Kompany and a cracking atmosphere. Rooney has two, Welbeck one and Chris Foy is getting plenty as he leaves the field.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0108/waynerooneymufccelebvmcfc20120108_275x155.jpg"><br>Wayne Rooney celebrates his fine early header

For those of you who might have missed it, the big news before kick-off was that Paul Scholes has come out of retirement to sign again as a first team player until the rest of the season. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1005940/paul-scholes-signs-for-man-united-for-rest-of-season?cc=5739" target="_blank">Full story here</a>.

This is the first of four FA Cup ties today, Sheffield Wednesday play West Ham at 3pm UK time, while Chelsea take on Portsmouth, and at 3.30pm Peterborough host Sunderland.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0108/dannywelbeckscoresvmcfc20120108_275x155.jpg"><br>Welbeck scores the second with a superb volley

Ong Hock Chye on Facebook: We want payback for the loss to them in the early premier league match

Ryan Noronha on Facebook: We want seven!

Roberto Mancini waits for Chris Foy as he emerges for the second half and has a pop at him.

Don't give up all hope though, Manchester City were 3-0 down at half time to Spurs in 2004, and had Joey Barton sent off, and they won 4-3. Anyone remember that game?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> We begin again and Pablo Zabaleta has come on for Adam Johnson.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Evra gets a yellow after a trademark bursting run from Micah Richards.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And City made another change at the break too, Silva came off and Savic came on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Kolarov scores!

They couldn't could they? Kolarov fires a free kick over the wall and into the corner of the net.

A shower of abuse for Evra as he waits patiently for the ball to be thrown back from City's fans. Not nice to see.

That goal has at least given City's fans their voice back. If City can pinch a second the roof might come off.

Valencia crosses well again - his supply line has been choc full of quality this afternoon - but Nani heads wide.

Smashing run from Jones and a good tackle from De Jong prevents the cross. Corner.

The corner is taken short and Rooney is free on the edge of the box but he fires wide with his left foot.

City are playing with a back three now, and Zabaleta and Kolarov are operating as wings backs.

There's more goals in this game, definitely, Jones has a shot blocked there, Aguero tries to release Nasri on the counter then United come forward again.

Another dangerous cross from the right, then Nasri is kicked by Carrick. No card but City scream for one every time a free kick is given. And now it is Scholes time.

This might be the biggest cheer of the day from the United faithful.

Rooney can sniff a hat-trick but his shot from range is well wide of the target.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Can we call it a second debut? Nani comes off and Scholes comes on to a rousing welcome from the away fans.

Cheers for every touch of the ball Scholes receives so far.

Aguero charges into the area and past Scholes (who still can't tackle) but Evra positions himself well and wins a free kick.

Wary of the reaction he'd get, Chris Foy denies Valencia a clear foul when Kolarov bumps into him. Looks like it was inside the area too. The referee has bottled that one.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ageuro!

Incredible! Scholes gives the ball away, Milner crosses for Aguero and his initial shot is saved but the striker is up quicker than his opponent and taps into the net. What a game!

A penny for Scholes' thoughts. It was a simple lay off from a throw but he left it short and Milner nipped in. Great cross and great desire from Aguero to pot it second time round.

Fantastic atmosphere in the ground now. What a cup tie.

A crunching aerial challenge on Scholes from Richards. Micah obviously doesn't think much of the 37-year-old's return. Scholes decked.

Welbeck and Rooney attempt a delicate one-two before City break and Scholes makes a vital interception.

United still have plenty of room going forward, they just can't pick the right pass at the moment. Surely a fourth for them would kill the tie?

The FA Cup is brilliant isn't it?

Fantastic header at the back post from Richards as Giggs prepared to volley Scholes cross.

Scholes has his first pop on goal, strikes it well but right at Pantilimon.

Stat: Sergio Aguero has now scored six goals in his last seven home appearances for Manchester City.

Lindegaard hurries out to kick clear a poor ball from Carrick, Milner picks it up but can't spread it wide for Nasri.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Welbeck comes off and Anderson will shore up the midfield.

Fantastic cross from Milner but no-one can get on the end of it. City still pressing.

United retaining possession well 40 yards from goal. City keeping shape and playing on the counter.

Owen Hargreaves now warming up. Blasts from the past everywhere.

City's fans roar everytime their team get over the halfway line. Fabulous noise.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hargreaves replaces Samir Nasri. City's fans cheer.

Great flick from Milner to Kolarov, his cross flicks off Jones' arms after it hit his leg and CIty scream for a penalty. Corner.

Mancini is livid after that penalty shout.

Unbelievable decision to hand United a free kick as Milner fell over the ball, and Ferdinand hacked at him on the floor. Mind boggling.

Aguero is lying on the floor holding his face after a gentle arm from Evra. Not intentional. Aguero up and about now.

Lindegaard flaps at the free kick and a game of head tennis ensues, Rooney whacks clear and then, as another cross came in, Rooney nods back to his goalkeeper. Talk about calm under pressure.

Savic is off then field with a nasty cut that is pouring blood - City down to nine momentarily.

A spell of United possession is ended when Phil Jones falls over the ball at his feet.

Three minutes added...

City are knackered, United keeping possession comfortably for the moment.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ferdinand upends Micah Richards on the edge of the box to the right side. Last chance for City.

Kolarov poised again.

Kolarov fires it right at Lindegaard, who spills it, but Lescott can't rurn it in.

City rebuild and win a corner, keeper going up!

<b>FULL TIME</b> Pantilimon met the corner but couldn't get his header on target, and there's the whistle! Rapturuous applause from both fans after a pulsating game. City's fans react like they've won. What a cup tie. The holders are out.

Well, what a game that was. It had everything, including a rousing second half comeback from City. Aguero was superb all afternoon and played the lone striker role superbly. United should have shut the game down but seemed too keen to pile on the goals. Excellent first half from Fergie's men though. Don't forget to stay with us for the draw at 5.40pm UK time.