United close on title

Ronaldo produced another superb free-kick to put United in front.

But that 18th-minute strike was overshadowed by Tevez's effort, the South American racing to the dug-outs and cupping his ears listening to the celebrations after claiming on Sunday morning that his future will be away from Old Trafford.

Stephen Ireland was complaining when Dimitar Berbatov went down in the 18th minute, with City really having something to moan about from Ronaldo's free-kick.

The distance of around 30 yards was small by the world player of the year's recent standards. And he duly strode up with confidence and fired into the corner, Given wrong-footed by the merest flick off Nigel de Jong.

A piece of impudence from Patrice Evra offered Tevez the chance to run into space and curl a shot towards the City goal which came crashing back off the angle of post and crossbar.

A minute from the break, Darren Fletcher's long ball was neatly controlled by Berbatov. His square pass found Tevez, whose precision shot bounced in off the post.

City needed a break and it should have arrived when Elano picked out Robinho with a deft right-wing cross.

The £32.5million striker had again got ahead of Rafael and seemed destined to test Edwin van der Sar, only to inexplicably fire well wide.

Ronaldo did not look too impressed at the decision to take him off and was still shaking his head long after he had taken his place in the home dug-out.