Manchester United 2 Manchester City 0

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 yesterday’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 could be viewed as an attack on Ferguson’s authority, although if it was, the United boss did not seem to mind.

‘‘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.

‘‘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.

Tevez made it known his United days are almost at an end, and that United have not even made him an offer to stay when his loan deal expires in four games’ time.

Ferguson picked the Argentina star 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 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.

City boss Mark Hughes may well be an interested party if Tevez does eventually leave Old Trafford. By then the Argentine should have another Premier League title in his collection, with United now just four points away.

A win at Wigan on Wednesday, will leave them needing just a point against Arsenal on Saturday to clinch their record-equalling 18th championship.

‘‘We have three days to prepare for a hard game at Wigan,’’ said Ferguson. ‘‘I will freshen the team up a bit.

I have a big squad, so I will use it.’’ Ferguson will check on Rio Ferdinand this morning while Jonny Evans is also a doubt after suffering a minor hamstring strain.