Red menace gives City the blues

WAYNE ROONEY’S two goals offered a short, sharp response to those pundits who believe he could be on his way out of Old Trafford due to differences with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

But in this, a third round FA Cup tie that will live long in the memories of both sets of supporters, the England forward’s form was just a minor side issue to be thrust forth by an eventful occasion which could have far reaching implications for this season’s Premier League title race.

The tie seemed to have been settled in the opening 12 minutes, in which time Rooney had fired United ahead and City had seen key defender Vincent Kompany harshly red-carded for a ball-winning, but two-footed, tackle on Nani.