Manchester United have confirmed Carlos Tevez only suffered heavy bruising to his ankle in the New Year's Day win over Birmingham City.

Tevez was substituted with 20 minutes left of the game, having earlier scored the only goal at Old Trafford.

PATRICE Evra has warned his team-mates Manchester United's fifth win in six seasons at Anfield will count for nothing if the Reds do not account for the other half of Merseyside at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their hopes of upsetting the champions. And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the game.

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is the man that keeps the dressing room together, reveals Danny Simpson.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Manchester United see off Fulham and move second, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points.

Kuszczak and flew in at his near post. They could have added a second almost instantly, but Liedson's finish was ruled out for offside - a marginal decision at best.

As United struggled to maintain any attacking rhythm, Sporting were shooting on sight and Anderson Polga shocked Kuszczak with a snap-shot that the keeper held at the second attempt.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he plans to extend Carlos Tevez's Manchester United stay.

Ferguson has revealed that chief executive David Gill has been in talks with the 23-year-old's agent Kia Joorabchian, and a 'cheap' fee is in place.

"There is no question about his long-term future here. David Gill has spoken to his agent and told him we are very happy with him," he said.

Louis Saha has backed countryman Mikael Silvestre to make a full recovery from the knee injury that's expected to keep the defender sidelined until March.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United beat Blackburn 2-0 to head the Premier League and claimed the squad is his strongest in 21 years at the club.

Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's double.

Prior to Saturday Blackburn had recorded seven wins in eight games and initially Rovers more than matched United, with strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy looking lively.