Tevez puts Rovers to the sword

With his Old Trafford future at stake, Tevez has no regard for the fixture backlog piling up for Sir Alex Ferguson.

And he hit three goals - after also claiming United's opener, which seemed to have gone in off Aaron Mokoena - to remind Ferguson of his hunger and undoubted ability.

After slotting home the winner against QPR from the penalty spot one round ago, Tevez was credited with the opening goal against Rovers too. However, TV replays were not conclusive as he jumped with Mokoena to reach Ryan Giggs' far-post corner.

Just over half an hour later, no-one was willing to take the goal off Tevez, although the intervening period was one of spellbinding excitement. Nani continued the goal-fest with a powerful finish to a solo run that involved receiving Tevez's cushioned return pass.

Not for the first, or the last time, Paul Robinson was well beaten.

Three minutes after the re-start, Rovers had something more positive to occupy their minds as substitute Benni McCarthy shrugged aside Gary Neville and belted home after a previously non-existent Roque Santa Cruz had flicked on Robinson's goal-kick.

Any thoughts Ince might have harboured about a comeback were cruelly extinguished almost immediately as Giggs sent Tevez scampering into the area. Martin Olsson bundled the South American over and Tevez sent Robinson the wrong way with his penalty.

Anderson clearly knew the significance of Tevez's situation as he provided his fellow South American with a tap-in when United next attacked. The move itself was majestic as Giggs found Anderson with a supreme back-heel, triggering a series of one-twos the final touch turning out to be the easiest.

Matt Derbyshire scored late on then, as United switched off in alarming fashion, but Tevez was not going to be denied and lashed home another with the final kick to send United through.