City, United in ticket row

London - Manchester United have complained to the English Football Association (FA) over their allocation of tickets for next month's eagerly awaited FA Cup clash against Manchester City, reports said on Tuesday.

FA rules state that visiting teams are entitled to a ticket allocation equivalent to 15% of capacity, which would give United 7 100 tickets to the January 8 showdown at Eastlands.

City, however, have only offered United 5 500 tickets - 11% of capacity - citing safety reasons.

Local media reports said that the issue came to light during discussions about ticket arrangements for a possible replay, when City learned they would only receive 8 500 tickets - 11% - for any return match at Old Trafford.

United enjoy a special dispensation from the FA rules because Old Trafford's 76 000 capacity is far greater than any other club in England.

The spat is likely to heighten anticipation surrounding the third-round clash, which comes with City and United locked in a neck-and-neck league title race.

United are also determined to avenge their 6-1 humiliation by City at Old Trafford earlier this season.