Denis Irwin finished his big testimonial night with his left ankle encased in ice and his chances of playing in Manchester United's Premiership opener on Sunday looking slim. Republic of Ireland international Irwin picked up over £500,000 from the night, but will be more worried about his fitness after a bruising local derby.

Teddy Sheringham scored after 37 minutes, and Andy Cole glided home the second from Nicky Butt's pass with a minute left.

Irwin lasted 37 minutes before he was forced off by a George Weah tackle. Irwin received a deserved standing ovation, guard of honour and his moment of glory at his Old Trafford testimonial - but ended up with an ankle injury following the Liberian's clattering challenge.

Weah did his damage after just four minutes, leaving the Irishman in agony on the ground - he brushed aside Weah's arm of apology.

Irwin was left limping, and did not want to end his big night by being substituted, but Sir Alex Ferguson brought the left-back off, with one eye on Sunday's Premiership opener with Newcastle.

Irwin went off before the restart after United had taken the lead on 37 minutes when Sheringham drove home a pass from Cole. Until then City had more than held their own, although the champions had plenty in their tank.

The game stopped well short of warfare - that will come when these two meet in the Premiership in the coming months - but was always on a knife edge.

Alf-Inge Haaland clattered Ronny Johnsen and got a ticking off from a clutch of United stars, and then Nicky Butt meted out some revenge a minute later. Gary Neville cut down Mark Kennedy and David Beckham flattened Danny Tiatto - the real thing should be worth watching when these two finally meet when it matters.

Nicky Weaver made fine saves twice from Cole, and Raimond van der Gouw superbly stopped Shaun Wright-Phillips after the little striker had jinked his way clear into the box.

The sting was taken out of the proceedings when City made seven half-time changes, leaving just Nicky Weaver, Steve Howey, Gerard Wiekens and Tony Grant remaining of the starters.

United were soon to take off Beckham, Paul Scholes and Johnsen, and the tempo dropped, even if referee Mike Dean had to dish out warnings to Danny Granville and Gary Neville for tackles from behind.