Two first half goals were enough to brush aside Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford, leaving Manchester United needing just four points from three games to claim the Premier League title. Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free-kick put United ahead and on the stroke of half time want-away striker Carlos Tevez doubled the host's advantage.

Robinho wasted City's best chance when he shot wide from eight yards.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson made light of Cristiano Ronaldo's angry reaction to being substituted in the 58th minute.

Asked why Ronaldo had reacted so badly, Ferguson told Sky Sports 1: "He wanted to stay on. He is in great form. But I've got to look at the big picture.

"I've got to think about keeping our players as fresh as we can for the games ahead."

As to the future of Carlos Tevez in the wake of reports this morning quoting the Argentinian predicting he would leave Old Trafford in the summer.

"He is a Manchester United player," said Ferguson.

Ferguson acknowledged that Tevez is a firm favourite with United fans but refused to be drawn on how soon the player's future might be resolved, adding: "I'm not getting into that at all!"

Ferguson, who promised to make "two or three changes" ahead of Wednesday's trip to Wigan, added: "We did not play well today but derby games can be that way. They can be horrible games and we had a horrible one today. But a win is a win at this time of the season."