Dimitar Berbatov is only four points away from earning the English Premiership title with Manchester United, which will make him the first Bulgarian to accomplish such an accolade. United moved another massive stride closer to the title after disposing of Man City at Old Trafford, beating their local rivals 2-0, and dampening the hopes of Rafael Benitez and his men that City might just do them a favour by stalling United.

Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free-kick put United ahead and then Carlos Tevez struck the City woodwork before powering in a 20-yard strike off the post to extend United's advantage.

United manager Alex Ferguson knows that his team could be the new England champions by the end of the week, and he also knows that he has very realistic chances of successfully defending United's European crown as well. This could turn out to be yet another legendary season for the Red Devils.

Regarding the victory against City and the performance of Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, Ferguson said: "I didn't read any of the papers. He's a Manchester United player," he said. "They love a tryer and that's exactly what he is," added Ferguson, regarding the speculation by the Sun tabloid that Tevez was playing one of his last matches in United's kit.

Tevez himself has told Sunday newspapers he thinks he will leave United when his loan spell ends in the summer because he has not been offered a new contract, and "is unsure" he is wanted by the club. Ferguson, however, has dispelled such thoughts, claiming that Tevez will stay.

United are a finger tip away from their 18th championship success their game in hand in midweek against Wigan could send them six points clear of second-placed Liverpool.

"We’re nearly there," Patrice Evra told MUTV. "If we win against Wigan, it will be very important for winning the title. But it’s not finished yet. Now we need a good recovery before we play our next game.

"The win against City was very important for the team. When you play in the league after playing in the European Cup, that can be tough. It’s the Manchester derby and we are all very happy, it was an important three points. Liverpool won and went top yesterday, so we knew we had to do our job." he said.

The Wigan match will be followed by the encounter with Arsenal. Title rivals Liverpool can only make sure that they win every one of their remaining matches until the end of the season, and hope that United will slip twice. But with the crucial clash against City gone, time is quickly running out. Arsenal remain the only potential threat that could thwart United, albeit temporarily. The Premiership crown is on its way to Old Trafford, and Dimitar Berbatov will be delighted no end.