Soccer:Manchester United held off a dramatic fight-back from 10-man Manchester City to win a breathtaking FA Cup derby 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.

United sensationally led 3-0 after a remarkable first half in which Wayne Rooney struck twice, Danny Welbeck added another and City captain, Vincent Kompany was sent off.

City hit back after the break through Aleksandar Kolarov and Sergio Aguero but United, for whom Paul Scholes came out of retirement, held on to end City’s cup defence at the first hurdle.

United dramatically included Scholes among their substitutes after the 37-year-old former England midfielder, who retired last year, agreed to rejoin the United playing staff to help them through injury difficulties.

Rooney, the subject of speculation about his future this week, led the United attack while defender Chris Smalling returned from illness and Anders Lindegaard retained his place in goal.

City were without African Nations Cup players Yaya and Kolo Toure, the suspended Gareth Barry and the injured Mario Balotelli while Costel Pantilimon replaced rested goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Smalling slotted in alongside Rio Ferdinand at centre back, while Phil Jones, after scoring an own goal in the midweek loss at Newcastle, moved out to right back. That United defence came under early pressure on a drizzly afternoon as City attacked down the right in the opening minutes.

Adam Johnson twice played in James Milner but Ferdinand cleared on both occasions. Lindegaard, preferred to David de Gea, was then almost caught out by Sergio Aguero as he delayed a clearance but escaped with a goal-kick.

The game exploded into life as United took the lead against the run of play in the 10th minute. Antonio Valencia found space on the right as the visitors counter-attacked and delivered a cross for Rooney to power home a superb header off the underside of the bar.

The England striker showed great technique as he rose above the City defence and then ran away to celebrate clutching the United badge on his shirt. City were dealt an immediate blow to their hopes of making a quick replay as captain Vincent Kompany was sent off for a challenge on Nani.

Kompany clearly won the ball but referee Chris Foy showed a straight red card for lunging forward with both feet. There was no doubt that the player left the ground but a yellow card was probably a more appropriate censure. City were angry with the decision but recovered their composure and Aguero brought a fine save from Lindegaard from distance.

City came forward again with David Silva having a shot deflected wide and Aguero firing into the side-netting. United remained a threat on the break and doubled their advantage after 30 minutes. Nani was denied shooting space on the edge of the box but the fed the ball wide to Patrice Evra, who crossed low.

Samir Nasri attempted to clear but did not make firm contact and Danny Welbeck hooked in his seventh goal of the season on the volley. Things got worse for City as they conceded a penalty six minutes before half-time as Aleksandar Kolarov brought down Welbeck, who was running on to a fine ball from Ryan Giggs.

Pantilimon saved Rooney’s spot-kick but was unable to deny the United forward as he followed up to head in the rebound.

City pulled a goal back in the third minute of the second half after Evra earned a booking for felling Micah Richards outside the area. Kolarov stepped up to bend a superb freekick around the wall and into the top corner.

United seemed determined to ensure that would prove a consolation for their hosts rather than the start of an unlikely fight-back as Rooney shot narrowly wide and Jones had a goal-bound effort blocked.

Scholes came off the bench to make his unexpected 677th United appearance when he replaced Nani just before the hour. United wanted another penalty moments later when Valencia went over as Kolarov challenged him just inside the box but Foy gave nothing.

City got themselves right back into the game after 65 minutes as Milner nicked the ball off Scholes following a throw-in and whipped the ball in for Aguero. The Argentinian shot straight at Lindegaard but the Dane could only parry and Aguero blasted in the loose ball to trail 3-2.

Scholes got his first sight off goal when he struck a trademark long-range shot after 71 minutes but Pantilimon saved comfortably. City sent on former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves in place of Nasri with eight minutes remaining.

City appealed long but in vain for a penalty when a low ball from Kolarov took a ricochet and appeared to catch Jones’ arm. City had United holding on as they pressed at every opportunity but the ball would not fall for them in the box.

Richards attempted a spectacular overhead kick but failed to make contact. Kolarov tested Lindegaard with a free-kick in injury time but United scrambled the ball clear.

Man City:Pantilimon, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, De Jong, Johnson, Silva, Nasri, Aguero. Subs: Hart, Zabaleta, Savic, Hargreaves, Clichy, Suarez, Razak.

Man Utd:Lindegaard, Smalling, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: De Gea, Evans, Anderson, Park, Hernandez, Rafael Da Silva, Scholes.

Referee:Chris Foy (Merseyside)