Manchester City 2 - 3 Manchester United

Wayne Rooney, United's talisman, scored twice as Manchester United were victorious on the FA cup derby, Third Round, at the Etihad Stadium, which was a great game of football that saw City's Vincent Company sent off early in the game.

The Red Devils had a reorganized defense where Rio ferdinand was partnered by Chris Smalling in central defence while Phil Jones was moved to Right Back. Meanwhile, Patrice Evra was at Left Back. Paul Scholes was on the bench after he made a sensational return from retirement as per the request of his Manager. Rooney and Welbeck started up front while Veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick handled the Central Midfield with Nani and Valencia on the wings.

For Man City, Costel Pantilimon was at goal in the place of the injured Joe Hart. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko missed out while Gareth Barry served a one match ban while both Yaya and Kolo Toure reported for international duty.

In the 10th minute, United took the lead with an excellent header from Rooney. Antonio Valencia delievered a cross for Rooney who powered home a superb header off the underside of the bar. City were given a big blow as Vincent Company was sent off for a challenge on Luis Nani. After 30 minutes of play, United extended their lead to 2-0 with a brilliant volley from Welbeck, his seventh of the season. Things got worse for city as they conceded a penalty six minutes before half time when Kolarov brought down Welbeck. Costel Pantiliman saved Rooney's spot-kick but couldn't deny the united's talisman from scoring a header afterwards making the save.

At one stage, it seemed United were on course to thrash their opponents by a exact way they were beaten earlier in the season. But, City pulled a surprising fight back from 10 men as they scored 2 goals in second half. Evra was booked for fouling Richards outside the area and Kolarov scored a bending free kick past Lindegaard. Just after an hour, Scholes came off the bench to make 677th appearance as he replaced Nani. City got their second after 65 minutes when Aguero's initial shot was spilled by Lindegaard but the striker pounced to score. Scholes almost scored with his trade mark long range shot after 71 minutes but Pantilimon saved comfortably. City brought on former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves as they pressed for the equalizer. Kolarov tested Lindegaard with a free kick in injury time but the united defense held firm and did enough to keep the score as it was, in their favour.

As the final whistle blew, Man United knocked out the holders on their own patch to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The sparkling first half performance was enough for Man United to triumph over their noisy neighbors.

The victory and the return of Paul Scholes will certainly act as a morale booster in the upcoming games for the red devils after losing two matches in a row which many believe they should have done better. Manchester United have always proven they are the real kings of football in the world as they always respond to any failures. And today, this case was no different.

These are the happy times at the red side of Manchester and Misery for the blue side.

Glory Glory Manchester United............................................

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A Defeat To Start The Year

'Manchester will score, always scores', but it was not so in yesterday's match. While the United Keeper, Lindegaard was getting all clean sheets in all his starting league matches, it was turn for Red Devil's forward to get a clean sheet for not putting a goal behind Newcastle's net.

United were all over the field once again this season due to some tight defending and exquisite attacks, particularly by Ba, castle's new knight. The misery of United defeat continued from 2012 eve to 2012 from the opposition final score being 3.

The defeat leaves the visitors three points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City after their win on Tuesday night.

Ba's 33rd-minute opener came through Tim Krul's free-kick flicked on by Shola Ameobi for Ba to superbly hook home from 16 yards.

And two minutes into the second half, Cabaye added a second with a wonderful 30-yard free-kick that bounced off the underside of the bar and over the line.

The Reds tries to pressure and have a goal, but it was not Devil's night. All the passes and tactic were going wrong for Sir Alex and United.

Rooney, Nani, Berbatov, Giggs, Park and other devils seemed helpless to some mystical play of Newcastle United.

And to round off a dreadful night for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, Phil Jones put through his own net after another long punt up field by Krul hit him on the leg and wrongfooted Anders Lindegaard.

There's now huge load of work for Sir Alex and for his team to cope with in this year, if they want to be the champions once again as last season.

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Macheda On Loan To QPR

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda has joined to QPR for this season on loan. The United part time striker, though with lots of talent had not been able to play in most of United's matches.

He has just six first-team appearances for United this term, will now hope to become a regular under R's manager Neil Warnock.

The 20-year-old becomes Neil Warnock's first signing of the January transfer window and will wear the number 33 shirt at Loftus Road.

The Italian striker who made his debut against Aston Villa in 5 April 2009, has made 33 appearances for United.

Macheda told QPR's official website,"There is a lot of competition at Manchester United, there are some very good strikers there. But I am still young and I need to get more experience in the Premier League. I am here to train hard firstly and then I hope to play a big part in the games."

He added: "I was attracted by the challenge and by the players that QPR brought in during the summer. There are some very big players at the club now. I also know the fans are very, very passionate, and this interested me also."

Rangers boss Warnock was delighted to secure Macheda's services but stressed his belief that Macheda's long-term future lies with Manchester United.

Warnock said,"He puts defenders under pressure, he’s a strong lad and he’s got a yard of pace as well. If we can get him the ball in the right areas I am sure he can get us a few goals. It’s a great way for us to start the January transfer window."

All United fans would be delighted with this loan transfer which will indeed help the non-regular striker to gain some confidence and consistency in his play, while he will be playing as a regular in QPR's team.

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Home Defeat for United on New Year's Eve

It was more like Halloween than Birthday for The Boss when Blackburn snatched the first away win at Old Trafford. Rovers stunned the defending champions to claim a stunning 3-2 win at the end of a quite amazing contest with Manchester United.

When all of the football followers believed United would mark Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th birthday with a convincing victory and a return to the Premier League summit, manager Steve Kean inspired his players to the most unexpected result of the season.

All were surprised with absence of Rooney from the squad due to his failure to “train well” during the week. The twist of the day did not end here as well. Giggs and Ferdinand were also left away from the bench. Sir Alex has made rotation of his players this season more than others, trying to find the perfect combination.

United gave away a penalty on 15th minute of the match, when Berbatov foolishly tugged at Samba’s shirt directly in front of referee Mike Dean and although the Blackburn captain fell to the ground rather easily for a man of his size. Yakubu does not miss and the Nigerian promptly sent De Gea the wrong way.

Rovers was all over the match with well defending and prompt attacks. They surely deserved a lead on the match. Whereas United kept most of the possessions and failed to score due to some poor performances by its players. Rovers had a goal lead going into the half-time.

With no Rooney to assist his team, Ferguson turned to Anderson at the break, a move that triggered a number of positional changes, the most significant of which saw Valencia shifted into an advanced position.

United’s defensive problems finally showed with Michael Carrick, plugging a gap at centre-half, losing Yakubu on the edge of the penalty area, enabling the Nigerian to skip past Phil Jones before beating De Gea with a left-foot strike.

But while Blackburn continued to celebrate, United claimed a foothold by replying through Berbatov within 60 seconds when the Bulgarian rounded off Rafael’s penetrating run with a diving header from six yards.

It was Valencia's burst of pace and subsequent cut-back that provided Berbatov with the opportunity to side-foot United level on 62nd minute.

With 10 minutes left, De Gea’s hopeless attempt to collect Pedersen’s corner saw him crash into Grant Hanley in a half-heated attempt to punch the ball.

Hanley saw the loose ball and, with De Gea stranded, headed it into the empty net, ignoring United’s weak appeals for a foul.

The final whistle blew with United 2 and Rovers 3 on the eve of a New year and birthday of Sir Alex Ferguson. This defeat would be costly, which would have made United on the top of the table.

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