Local hero Paul Scholes transferred the Manchester bragging rights back to the red half of the city as the Blues' Old Trafford misery continued with a 3-1 defeat.

Paul Scholes celebrated his first Premiership start in two months with two trademark headed goals as Manchester United defeated Manchester City 3-1. [AFP]

The Oldham-born midfielder only returned to first-team action last weekend after two months on the sidelines and how City must have wished he had been missing as their unhappy run of not winning at their neighbours' home since 1974 was extended into a third decade.

Gifted the freedom of the park by a visiting side who appeared incapable of picking up one of the deadliest players in the Barclaycard Premiership, Scholes took just seven minutes to find the net, then finished the Blues off midway through the second period after Kevin Keegan's side had briefly threatened an unlikely comeback.

Predictably, Ruud van Nistelrooy also contributed to the Red Devils' victory parade, nodding home his 16th goal of another magnificent campaign.

Scholes had played a major role in that effort as well, releasing Ryan Giggs after City had gifted their opponents possession in a defensive mix-up.

And if that was not enough, the ginger genius also booted Nicolas Anelka's last-minute header off the line as United maintained their Premiership title drive.

With such an awful recent record at Old Trafford and without a win in their last seven games, most of City's hopes had been pinned optimistically on the law of averages.

Unfortunately, such flaky belief requires an inclination to ignore talent, form and desire which, on the evidence of the first 45 minutes, United boasted more of in every department.

As the half wore on, City showed an alarming reluctance to pick up Scholes, who sauntered around the field largely untroubled by blue shirts.

There was certainly no defender near him when he ghosted into the area and steered Gary Neville's excellent inswinging cross into the net after just seven minutes.

Given their current barren run of results, it was precisely the start City did not need and on the balance of play they were fortunate not to be further behind long before van Nistelrooy netted United's second. It was not that United were playing particularly well, just that the Blues were so poor.

The spark Steve McManaman was supposed to supply was completely absent. Nicolas Anelka appeared to be only half-interested and Joey Barton's combative nature was restricted to a couple of lunging tackles on Phil Neville which conceded two free-kicks and a yellow card.

Only the stout defending of Richard Dunne deserved praise, so it was a pity for the Irishman that he was involved in the mid-pitch collision with McManaman which gifted Scholes possession and eventually saw Giggs cross for van Nistelrooy to head home.

It left Keegan with a similar salvage job to the one he completed on City's previous visit. On that occasion they were only a goal adrift, which took a further 40 minutes to pull back. This time, the Blues were on the scoresheet within eight minutes of the re-start.

So often Shaun Wright-Phillips fails to find a finish to match his excellent approach work. However, after beating Scholes and Phil Neville, the England Under-21 international unleashed a low angled drive that Tim Howard was unable to keep out.

City were naturally encouraged and as their opponents momentarily panicked, Robbie Fowler might have done better with a 35-yard header which drifted wide of a gaping goal after Howard's poor clearance had bounced straight into his path.

The extra forcefulness City had found in attack opened the game up, although it was United who continued to carve out the better chances.

Giggs toed the ball just the wrong side of the post after David Seaman had failed to collect van Nistelrooy's cross, then the Dutchman headed wide under pressure from Fowler.

When Seaman made an excellent fingertip save to send van Nistelrooy's effort crashing onto the post after the striker had been set free by Scholes, City must have fancied their chances of completing a miracle escape.

Instead, straight from the throw-in, they conceded again as Scholes finished off Kleberson's cross with another assured header.

City bravely rallied and both Anelka and McManaman forced good saves from Howard before Scholes had the final word. Defence or attack, his value to this United team is virtually incalculable.

United too strong as Scholes stars

Paul Scholes claimed Manchester United's 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Old Trafford derby was payback for last season when Kevin Keegan's men took four points off the Barclaycard Premiership champions.

The United midfielder scored twice with headers and told Sky Sports 2: 'It's nice to score two, especially in a derby. The win was enough but we didn't play too great.

'It was disappointing to lose four points to City last season so this was good.'

Scholes paid tribute to Gary Neville and Kleberson whose crosses were headed home by the England midfielder.

'They were two great crosses by Gary and Kleb. I couldn't really miss with either of them.'

However Scholes felt United were not at their best.

'Our defence has been brilliant but we managed to let a goal in and our play was a bit scrappy but it was good to win.' Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the contribution of Scholes, adding: 'He picked the right day but we know he's always capable of that.

'I thought we could have been three or four up at half-time - but credit Manchester City, they came back and made it a real contest until Paul put it beyond doubt.

'Obviously their manager had been at them - and was motivation there for them.

'And of course it's a derby game, so they'll have a go.

'Some derby games have been very poor but they're always engrossing, exciting and tense.'

As for an update of his side's title chances, the Scot added: 'There are not many mistakes made at the top of the league.

'We've got to do it ourselves - and it was an important victory today.'

City boss Kevin Keegan said: 'Forget the goals - we will look at them again. Paul Scholes is the best in the world in my time at coming from midfield. I know how difficult he is to handle - he did it for me for England.

'But there were a few home truths at half-time - without throwing teacups. We created a fair few good opportunities and at 2-1 who knows? But the third was a killer.

'In the end David Seaman kept us in it with a world-class save from van Nistelrooy.'

Keegan admitted his strikers were not producing. 'They are not firing on all cylinders. It's not just one person though. The chances are falling to all the players.

'But we were up against a quality team. Sir Alex put out his strongest 11 players.

'They are always difficult to beat but I expected a bit more drive in the first half. We did not play well when we had the ball.

'Generally we were beaten by a better side but we are not that far behind them.'

United defender John O'Shea admitted he had enjoyed the victory after City had stolen bragging rights with a win and a draw against them last season.

'It is a great boost for us beating Manchester City today because last season it was very disappointing losing to them,' he told the BBC.

'It is a good time (to go top of the Premier League) coming up to Christmas.'

City midfielder Joey Barton admitted his side were not up to scratch in the first half but felt they had a chance after the break.

'We are disappointed because on the second-half performance we felt we could pinch something,' he said.

'I think it took us 45 minutes to believe we could win anything and you can't give teams like Man United two goals because it is difficult to come back from it.'

Despite City's recent poor run Barton said the players were capable of turning things around.

'I think hard work [is the key]. We are never going to give up as a team. We will be striving to get our club back heading in the right direction,' he added.

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