Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Reds ahead just before the break with an opportunist strike, but City, with new steel under boss Stuart Pearce, struck back.

Joey Barton was on hand to redirect Darius Vassell's shot into the net to stun Old Trafford.

The Blues almost snatched victory late on, but Edwin van der Sar saved brilliantly from Andy Cole.

A City win might have been tough luck on United, who dominated most of the contest, but Stuart Pearce is moulding a fiercely determined side at Eastlands. Not that Sir Alex Ferguson will take any comfort from that.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Kevin Keegan ditched his attacking philosophy to grind out a goalless draw, a move Pearce was largely credited with being the brains behind.

This time around, City were slightly less negative, but just as organised, retaining their shape and largely subduing a United midfield lacking a rested Roy Keane, although United might have been able to play with more freedom had referee Steve Bennett awarded the hosts a first-minute penalty when Ben Thatcher sent Rooney tumbling.

Temper

Despite his obvious frustration, the England striker just about managed to keep his fragile temper in check on that occasion and although their were flashes of teenage angst throughout the half, there was no loss of control on the scale of that shown in Belfast.

In fact, the biggest problem Rooney had was of his own making. Three times, the £27million forward broke clear of City challenges then slipped to the ground with no-one near him.

Balance issues aside, Rooney looked more likely to create an opening than anyone else on the pitch and typically, it was the 19-year-old who set up United's first opportunity, turning brilliantly after taking Alan Smith's pass with his back to goal before sending Park racing into the area.

Unfortunately for the South Korean, his first touch took him wide and his shot, though well hit, fizzed beyond the far post.

Before the opening period entered its one crucial additional minute, the only other chance United carved out came as something of a surprise to Van Nistelrooy, who seemed to be caught out when Park flicked on John O'Shea's cross.

Victorious

The Dutchman did manage a first-time shot but lofted tamely over James and his goal.

It was another 15 minutes before the pair came face to face again and this time Van Nistelrooy emerged victorious.

Amid the rancour over the offside flag which never came, James' magnificent save from Van Nistelrooy's initial flick will probably be overlooked.

Without doubt, the one-handed effort was one of the stops of the season and the discarded England keeper deserved far more than to see the rebound land straight back at Van Nistelrooy's feet, allowing the former PSV striker to ram home.

Victory could have been wrapped up within seconds of the restart when Rooney drilled a low cross to the edge of City's six-yard box. But neither Park nor Scholes could make firm contact, allowing the visitors to try and exploit growing nervousness in United ranks.

Even Rooney's electric talents gradually dimmed and the youngster responded to the abusive taunts of the City fans with a few gestures of his own.

Pretty soon though, it was Barton and Robbie Fowler who were jubilantly offering their opinions to the home support following City's unexpected equaliser

Just as James' heroics went unrewarded earlier, so Van der Sar's reaction save from Cole's strike proved in vain as Vassell blasted the rebound towards goal, where Barton flicked it in to set up a dramatic finale in which Cole so nearly supplied the killer touch.

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