By Chris O'Brien
November 25 2005

Giuseppe Rossi netted a hat-trick as the Manchester United reserves beat rivals Manchester City 4-2 at the Sportcity complex. Kenny Cooper was also on the scoresheet as Gary Neville and Louis Saha continued their comeback from injury.

Manchester United's reserves thumped rivals Manchester City at the impressive 'Sportcity' complex at Eastlands. Giuseppe Rossi netted a superb hat-trick as the Red Devils established an 8-point at the top of the Premier Reserve League North.

Gary Neville and Louis Saha, who both made substitute appearances against Villarreal, continued their comeback from injury and started in a strong United line-up. The duo were joined by first-team fringe players such as Tim Howard and Kieran Richardson were in action as Rene Meulensteen's side came from two goals down to secure a superb victory.

Antoine Sibierski and Bradley Wright-Phillips, two players with first-team experience, gave the hosts a two-goal lead as the United side struggled to settle. However, hope came from a Rossi penalty moments before half-time as Lee Martin was taken down. The comeback continued only moments into the second-half as Rossi notched home a Markus Neumayr cross.

With the scores level, all the momentum was with United though Howard was still forced into a series of impressive saves that will have impressed the Old Trafford coaching staff. Rossi completed a deserved hat-trick on 71 minutes, slotting home a Louis Saha pass, before substitute Kenny Cooper completed the victory in the closing stages.

It was a seventh league win for the reserves, and Sir Alex Ferguson will take comfort in the fact that his second-string is full of some exciting fledglings.

Full Time - Manchester City Reserves 2-4 Manchester United Reserves