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UNITED TOO STRONG FOR POSH
Tevez in action for United on Monday night.
Sir Alex Ferguson retained the family bragging rights as a goal either side of half-time gave Manchester United a 2-0 win over son Darren's ambitious Peterborough side.
With the world awaiting Cristiano Ronaldo's imminent return to Old Trafford the rest of United's squad made heavy work of seeing off their plucky opponents - who could have recorded an excellent win if it was not for the performance of Tomasz Kuszczak in goal.
Darren Fletcher took the mantle of the number seven shirt in United's starting line-up which also featured England internationals Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown as well as Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez and Nani, but with all due respect to the Scotland man, Ronaldo's absence was palpable.
United started slowly and needed an own goal from Posh right-back Russell Martin to break the deadlock just before half-time.
Kuszczak was required to make several excellent saves to keep Posh out before substitute Darron Gibson smashed home an excellent second.
England striker Dean Ashton fired a hat-trick but Craig Bellamy limped off as West Ham beat Ipswich 5-3 at Portman Road.
The opening 10 minutes were a goal frenzy, as Ashton and Bellamy scored to give the visitors a 2-1 lead - Veliche Shumulikoski on target for Town.
Owen Garvan levelled for the home side in the 25th minute, but the Hammers went 3-2 up 12 minutes into the second half when Ashton fired home after a Kyel Reid shot was blocked.
The former Crewe and Norwich forward completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute thanks to a calm finish from a Reid cross.
Reid then combined with Scott Parker to tee up David Noble, who blasted home West Ham's fifth from 25 yards - before Alan Lee pulled one back for Town.
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley will be worried through after Bellamy limped off with a hamstring injury while Anton Ferdinand suffered a blow to his right leg.
First-half strikes from Papa Bouba Diop and Jermain Defoe helped Portsmouth claim a narrow 2-1 victory over Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.
Senegal international Diop put Pompey ahead in the 31st minute, after he latched on to a Djimi Traore cross from the left and steered the ball home from close range.
Harry Redknapp's side doubled their advantage moments before the break when Lassana Diarra cut open the Oxford defence with a neat through-ball - and Defoe slid the ball home.
Portsmouth had several other chances to add to their tally, and Niko Kranjcar went close with a 25-yard strike in the 77th minute.
But it was Oxford who made the final moments of the game interesting when Alex Fisher struck the ball past goalkeeper David James in injury time.
Bolton leaked a late goal as they continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Greek outfit Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium.
Grant McCann had given Gary Megson's a 1-0 lead nine minutes from full-time with a header from close range.
Wanderers substitute Blerim Dzemaili whipped in a dangerous cross which was glanced on to the bar by Kevin Nolan and the ball fell to McCann who nodded it home.
Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi made several top-class saves as Aris, who faced the Trotters in last season's UEFA Cup, pushed for an equaliser.
Their rearguard was eventually breached in injury time when Spanish striker Javito was sent clear and slid the ball beyond Al Habsi.
