Rooney sent Manchester United into the Carling Cup final

Wayne Rooney's dramatic stoppage-time header sent Manchester United into the Carling Cup final and wrecked Manchester City's hopes of reaching a first major Wembley showpiece in 29 years.

Carlos Tevez looked to have sent the semi-final into extra-time when his sensational backheel flick after 76 minutes answered second-half goals for United from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

But Rooney, United's man of the moment, demonstrated once more that he is in the form of his life by heading Ryan Giggs's cross past City keeper Shay Given to send Old Trafford wild and set up a final meeting with Aston Villa on 28 February.

Ferguson danced with delight in the dug-out as City were forced to put their plans to topple their illustrious neighbours on hold.

For City, it was a grim and heartbreaking echo of their Premier League defeat at Old Trafford earlier this season when Michael Owen's last-gasp goal gave United a 4-3 win.

Roberto Mancini's side showed admirable composure in the cauldron as the battle unfolded, and Tevez and Micah Richards brought fine saves from Edwin van der Sar as they went in search of the goal that would have put them at the gates of Wembley.

City were attempting to "change history" in manager Roberto 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.