Updated: January 28, 2010, 8:33 AM UK
Wayne Rooney headed Manchester United to Wembley with an injury-time winner to beat Manchester City in a pulsating 3-1 victory.

• Rooney salutes Fletcher

After Carlos Tevez had threatened to take the semi-final into extra-time when he quite brilliantly turned home Craig Bellamy's cross 14 minutes from time, up popped Rooney, who nodded home Ryan Giggs' cross to secure a Carling Cup final meeting with Aston Villa on February 28.

In fact, the Red Devils thought they were already there.

Controlling possession against a City side which sat too deep, they had carved out a decisive lead thanks to two precise finishes from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick either side of the interval.

Only Tevez's refusal to bow at the feet of his old club kept the Blues going, but it was not enough. And though Rooney inexplicably failed to grab a third before Tevez struck, he is too much a part of United's fabric to merely accept defeat.

City were attempting to "change history'' in Mancini's words.

In pure domestic and European terms alone, United had made 21 cup final appearances and won 11 league titles since the Blues last reached Wembley in 1981.

Tevez was the clear focal point for City from the start. The South American flung himself at a Bellamy cross and Edwin van der Sar needed Jonny Evans' help to ensure there was no trouble after he had dropped what seemed to be a routine save.

Rio Ferdinand got away with a despairing lunge at Tevez that left the former United man on the deck. If referee Howard Webb had been feeling in a stricter mood, the gamble of playing Ferdinand this evening and leaving the consequences to be faced tomorrow when he goes before an FA disciplinary panel could have backfired disastrously.

As the teams trooped in for their half-time pep talk, the feeling persisted that the game was destined to explode.

The firecracker went off seven minutes after the restart and following a brief stoppage after Bellamy had been hit on the back of the head by a coin as he went to retrieve the ball for a City corner.

United quickly countered as City conceded possession. Rooney delivered a superb pass for Giggs, who would have had a clear sight of goal if City goalkeeper Shay Given had not been so quick to react and push him out wide.

The veteran Welshman did not panic and delivered the ball back into the City area and, after, Nani had run into a wall of defenders, Michael Carrick prodded the ball back for Scholes, who drove his shot into the bottom corner.

United had the scent of Wembley in their nostrils and when Nani flicked a superb pass through to Darren Fletcher inside the City box, the Scotland star had the awareness to lay a pass off to Carrick. The England midfielder does not score many, but he is an accurate striker of the ball and his shot was perfectly placed into the bottom corner with the aid of the post.

If Rooney had tapped home Patrice Evra's cross when he was completely unmarked three minutes later, the tie would have been over. Inexplicably, he put it wide.

It was virtually certain Rooney would be made to pay almost instantly. After playing a pass out to Bellamy, Tevez continued his run and somehow managed to squeeze the ball beyond Van der Sar from the most unlikely angle.

United could feel aggrieved but relief should have arrived 10 minutes from time when Vincent Kompany's block offered Carrick a second chance. On this occasion though his snap shot flew wide. But Rooney still had one more trick up his sleeve.

# Rooney salutes Fletcher

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney spoke of his joy at steering his side through to the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa at the expense of rivals Manchester City.

He told Sky Sports: "I was not that worried although I should have done better. I know with our deliveries I will get chances and thankfully I took that one in injury time.''

"We started well but it went a bit slow in the middle. But we have players like Fletch (Darren Fletcher), (Michael) Carrick, (Paul) Scholes and (Ryan) Giggs to call on.''

Fletcher was named man of the match and Rooney added: "He underlines what United are all about. Fletch has been playing like that for the last two years. He is a world-class player.''

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could not hide his disappointment at the defeat after his side had the edge going into the second leg. He said: "I am very sorry for the players and the supporters because we played very well and at the same level as United.

"We had a big possibility to go to the final. We were only under pressure for 10 minutes. We were very unlucky. But that is football. I can only compliment my players. We have another trophy to aim for and maybe we can win the FA Cup.''

This post has been edited by kampit_ikram: Jan 28 2010, 07:15 AM

Woot new here, i believe VDS is the MOTM !

Dang~ I miss the match! Thought of waking up early but just woke up! >_< Anyhow, congrats to our team!! We're going to the finals!!

This post has been edited by Firdaus92: Jan 28 2010, 07:33 AM

Hell off Citeh...we are going to the Wembley

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Added on January 28, 2010, 7:35 amBut Rooney still had one more trick up his sleeve. And with it came a very large slice of humble pie for Garry Cook, with the City chief executive having been bullish of reaching the final on a trip to New York last week.

This post has been edited by hazremi: Jan 28 2010, 07:35 AM

You don't mess up with SAF, faggot. He is the man in this game

This post has been edited by Sifha238: Jan 28 2010, 07:40 AM

Congrats to our team!!

we are going to wembley
now whats gonna happen to mancini
new manager again???

guys, look at this

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1277497/+2180#entry31533935

an arsenal and manutd fan huh? I just find it funny, no offence.

This post has been edited by cristiano7mu: Jan 28 2010, 08:04 AM

SAF 2 - Citeh manager 0
..

late winner again..last time owen..this time rooney..

I think Rooney wanted to do a Nani celebration but not yet completed! Nani hasn't teach him do the mid air somersault! hahaha

Neah he combine his own style with half somersault
Once again Fletch has proven he is a big game player

lol'ed at ferdinand's celebration when rooney scored the goal. n brown seems like grabbing his A $ $.. XD

The best thing about Nani is that he finally accepts the team aspect of the game now. No more fannying when he's clattered and getting up and tracking back. I really enjoy watching that aspect of his game, the same aspect that Rafael has yet to pick up.

But Giggs - what a player. I was thinking that he was tiring out and expected him to be subbed off but it just goes to show how well he conserves his energy for the whole game. No sign of mental and physical fatigue at all! Even Evra was tiring out towards the end.

MOTM:
Fletcher
Giggs
Scholes
Rooney
Carrick

Hell, our midfield was brilliant! Nani on any other day would have been in for a shout for MOTM. Shows how good we were.

i happy to see tevez got pawned...heh...he will never win any trophy at citeh...

Who's the king of Manchester eh?!!

couldn't watch the match cause i got a very important training session this morning. checked the scoreline and woohoooo!!!

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Added on January 28, 2010, 9:12 amdudes/dudets.....highlights of the match please!!! for those who are unfortunately unable to watch the match.....

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Added on January 28, 2010, 9:16 ambut one thing that we're all very afraid of scholesy are his tackles sometimes with him sitting infront of the back four can be quite scary

and im really really glad that Nani has finally got his thinking cap on and is performing above par. nice and simple passes/crosses, occasional step-overs or dribbling will make him look like a winner. pulling off a CR7 makes him look stupid.

This post has been edited by red-queen: Jan 28 2010, 09:16 AM

tears of joy

thx to Rooney ...
no need to watch another 30 min for extra time ...

some highlights i found, not really full though.

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-01-27-ma...hts-carling-cup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggo91gM7_vU

highlight from youtube...

suddenly, 4-5-1 fomation bring succesful this season.

great work from the midfielders