The Tigers gave Manchester United a rough ride and a real scare before eventually falling to a 3-1 defeat against the reigning champions at the KC Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Craig Fagan's penalty cancelled out Wayne Rooney's opener, but an unfortunate own goal from Andy Dawson and a late strike from Dimitar Berbatov gave United all three points.

City made three changes to the side that started against Arsenal last weekend.

Bernard Mendy came in for former United defender Paul McShane at right back, Seyi Olofinjana replaced Nick Barmby in midfield and Jozy Altidore was restored to the starting eleven in place of Geovanni.

Barmby and Geovanni both made the bench.

Manchester United included Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic in their side with Michael Owen handed a place on the bench.

United started well, knocking the ball around with ease.

Antonio Valencia's burst down the right produced a cross for Giggs at the back post, but his volley landed on the roof of the net.

Craig Fagan needed treatment after landing awkwardly but he soon returned to the action.

United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the City box in the 16th minute when Rooney went down rather easily under a challenge.

Giggs took it and was only inches away from giving his side the lead.

Mendy produced a fantastic challenge to block Rooney's shot inside the area as United began to benefit from some dubious decisions - in this case a handball and offside were missed by the officials.

That extended to the other end of the pitch as well when Richard Garcia appeared to be tripped by Wes Brown in the box, but the penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

Olofinjana was the first City man to test Tomasz Kuszczak in the United goal with a low shot from 25 yards which was gathered comfortably.

Another offside missed by the assistant referee gave Rooney the chance of a strike on goal, but Boaz Myhill was equal to it.

A flowing move from City almost brought a goal in the 28th minute.

Garcia's run took him towards the United box before he fed Fagan to his right.

His cross was met on the volley by Olofinjana, but Kuszczak managed to push the effort away.

Patrice Evra picked up a booking for pulling down Garcia out wide.

A nasty bobble just in front of Myhill created a moment of panic as his attempted clearance fell for Giggs.

He found Rooney, but City's defence recovered to see off the danger.

City missed a great chance six minutes before half time.

Olofinjana broke from midfield and attracted full back Rafael towards him before playing in Stephen Hunt.

The Irish winger appeared to be in two minds and his cross-shot went wide of the far post.

At the other end, Dimitar Berbatov hit the side-netting.

Another offside missed by the assistant let Rafael in one-on-one with Myhill on 43 minutes, but the City keeper came out on top to keep the full back's shot out.

Some superb covering defending from Kamil Zayatte prevented Valencia from having a clear run on goal as the half moved into added time.

But added time is danger time where United are concerned and they promptly took the lead.

Darren Fletcher's cross from the right missed Giggs at the near post, but Rooney was on hand to apply the finish from close range.

City almost came up with an instant reply, but Altidore's powerful low drive was kept out by Kuszczak.

Half Time: Tigers 0-1 United

The question after half time was whether the goal had deflated City, but the early signs were good as they continued to hassle and hurry their opponents.

However, decisions were still invariably going in favour of the visitors.

That was until City were awarded a penalty on 59 minutes.

Rooney's back-pass was intercepted by Fagan, who rounded Kuszczak but was forced wide by the keeper's presence.

Fagan took his time before crossing for Altidore, who was shoved in the back by Rafael as he looked to get his head to the ball.

Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot and Fagan sent Kuszczak the wrong way to bring his side level.

That stung United back into action and Myhill had to push Carrick's shot wide before turning Wes Brown's header from the resulting corner over the bar.

City were inches away from taking the lead when Hunt's 66th-minute corner was met by the head of Garcia, but the ball flashed just wide.

Evra was lucky not to be shown a second yellow card when he hauled Fagan down on halfway.

He was given a final warning.

United were back in front on 73 minutes after a clinical counter attack.

It ended with Giggs feeding Rooney inside the box and his low cross was put into his own net by Andy Dawson.

It was all the left back could do with substitute Ji-Sung Park waiting to tap the ball home behind him.

City's first change followed five minutes later as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came on for Garcia, who had produced a good, hard-working display.

It was a goal that seemed to break City's resolve and it was 3-1 on 82 minutes.

Brown's defensive header sent Rooney racing into City's box and he squared for Berbatov to tap home.

City responded with a double change with Kamel Ghilas and Geovanni coming on for Altidore and George Boateng.

Bernard Mendy went close to pulling a goal back, but his shot only found the side-netting.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Bernard Mendy, Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gardner [captain], Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia (Vennegoor of Hesselink 78), George Boateng (Geovanni 82), Seyi Olofinjana, Stephen Hunt; Craig Fagan, Jozy Altidore (Ghilas 82).

Subs: Matt Duke, Kevin Kilbane, Tom Cairney, Nick Barmby, Geovanni, Kamel Ghilas, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Bookings: Nil

Manchester United (4-4-2) Tomasz Kuszczak; Rafael Da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown, Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia (Park 63), Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs [captain] (Obertan 78); Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney.

Subs: Ben Foster, Michael Owen, Ji-Sung Park, Danny Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, Gabriel Obertan, Ritchie De Laet.

Bookings: Evra 32, Rafael 59.