Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is happy Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has escaped suspension for his bust-up with Cristiano Ronaldo in midweek.

As title rivals Chelsea and top-four battlers Arsenal are among Newcastle's next three opponents, he is happy that Taylor is involved.

"The disciplinary situation does confuse you at times," said Ferguson.

"No one is really clear about it. But in actual fact we did not want the boy suspended - because now he can play against Chelsea and Arsenal.

"In Newcastle's position, with the injuries they have at the moment, it would have been devastating for them to lose that player. I am not really upset about it at all."