Manchester United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City at Old Trafford.
Carlos Tevez struck his tenth goal of the season in the first half to keep United second in the Premier League table.
Park Ji-Sung made his first start for the Premier League champion since March but Wayne Rooney was still missing due to illness, while Medhi Nafti replaced injured skipper Damien Johnson for the visitors.
United, looking to bounce back from their shock 2-1 loss to West Ham United on Saturday, came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Tevez’s header hit the post from Patrice Evra’s pinpoint cross on eight minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued to look a threat for the home side and lashed a volley over the bar on 18 minutes.
And the Portuguese winger was the architect for United’s opening goal with a deft flick to Tevez who fired the ball home on 25 minutes.
The second half was a similar story with Ferguson’s side bombarding the Blues’ goal with shots, Ji-Sung’s cross was headed towards goal by Ronaldo which was blocked by goalkeeper Maik Taylor’s legs on 50 minutes.
Five minutes later Argentine Tevez slipped before getting up and rattling the post with a low shot, Ronaldo picked up the rebound and his effort was blocked.
A tearful Nafti left the pitch midway through the half through injury, which could wreck his hopes of representing Tunisia in the African Cup of Nations which starts on January 21st.
Alex McLeish’s side sprang into life in the closing minutes with Mikael Forssell firing a left-shot shot narrowly wide, Sebastian Larsson then went close with a free-kick as United held out.
