The midfielder's efforts after being introduced as a half-time substitute are bound to be noted by Sir Alex Ferguson, who could now propel Anderson into his squad for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford.

Anderson has been out of action since suffering a knee ligament injury during the FA Cup fifth-round tie with non-league Crawley on February 19.

Gabriel Obertan had earlier given United the lead before Abdi Ibrahim equalised for City.