Ferguson brushes off Ronaldo petulance

Sir Alex Ferguson brushed off the petulant reaction of Cristiano Ronaldo to his second-half substitution at Old Trafford and claimed it was exactly the kind of reaction he wanted.

Ronaldo was substituted an hour into United's 2-0 win against Manchester City after earlier driving home a 30-yard free-kick to put the Red Devils in front. The win took United to within four points of an 18th league championship, although it did not seem the 24-year-old world player of the year was in much of a mood to celebrate, swiping angrily at a chair as he made his way off the field before sitting in the dug-out shaking his head.

"It is great that he wanted to play on," said Ferguson. "It is fabulous. But I have to look at the big picture. He produced an incredible performance against Arsenal on Tuesday. He ran his socks off."

He added: "Now I have Wednesday and Saturday to look after. There is no problem."

Ferguson was in no mood to discuss the Carlos Tevez situation either.

In an interview published on Monday morning, Tevez admitted his United days were almost at an end, with the Old Trafford hierarchy not even making an offer to keep him when his loan deal expires in four games' time.

Ferguson still picked the Argentina star this afternoon and was rewarded with a superb goal just before the break.

Tevez reacted by ignoring all efforts at a communal celebration, running to the dug-out where he cupped his hands round his ears in order to listen to the celebrations as, directly in front of him, Ferguson looked on.

"If he keeps scoring there will be absolutely no problem," said Ferguson before declaring, "nothing has changed" when asked if there had been any developments on the Tevez contract situation.