Tevez 'understood' bench role

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Man Utd striker Carlos Tevez fully understood his coaches decision to leave him on the bench for this weekend's 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford.

After the Argentinian bagged four goals in midweek against Blackburn, it would've been expected he would start against Sunderland, but Ferguson opted to play Berbatov and Rooney instead.

"I had a long chat with Carlos," said Fergie.

"If the performance had not been as good against Manchester City last week he would have played. But I couldn't get him on quickly enough in the second-half.

"He brought energy to the front part of the pitch. It was a really good half hour."