• Premier League

Ferguson hits back at Vieira with Tevez barb

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has come out fighting after Patrick Vieira's criticism of Paul Scholes' return, hinting the remarks were hypocritical given Manchester City's decision to bring Carlos Tevez back into the fray.

On Wednesday Vieira, the director of football development at City, said that 37-year-old Scholes coming out of retirement, and being immediately re-integrated into the first-team picture at United, showed weakness.

Ferguson has responded by drawing parallels with Tevez, who created City's winner against Chelsea on Monday in what was his first appearance for the club since September.

His involvement marked a significant U-turn from boss Roberto Mancini, who had previously suggested that Tevez was finished at City following his unauthorised decision to flee to his native Argentina.

And Ferguson did not spare Mancini as he vowed to give as good as he gets in the war of words across the final few weeks of the season. The two Manchester clubs are locked in a battle for the Premier League crown; United are currently one point clear of City.

Ferguson said: ''Desperation? Paul Scholes is the best midfielder for the last 20 years. Roberto Mancini had a little dig at us a couple of weeks back. We are all going to play our hand. I have plenty of ammunition that way.

''Desperation? On Wednesday they played a player who refused to go on the pitch and the manager had said would never play for them again. What is that?''

United have won nine Premier League games and drawn one with Scholes in the team this season.

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