Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has blasted Patrick Vieira's claims that the English champions are showing signs of "weakness" by re-signing Paul Scholes.

Manchester City's director of football Vieira recently stated that the Red Devils were desperate in bringing back the veteran midfielder.

Ferguson has since hit back at the former Arsenal player's stance and has criticised United's fierce rivals City for allowing Carlos Tevez to return to the first team following his fall from grace in September.

"If it's desperation bringing the best midfielder in Britain back for the last 20 years then I think we can accept that," Ferguson said in a press conference.

"I think he was programmed for that. Roberto [Mancini] had a wee dig a couple of weeks back. We're all going to play our hand that way. There will be plenty of ammunition for that.

"If you talk about desperation, City played a player the other night who refused to go on the pitch and the manager said he'd never play again and he takes a five-month holiday in Argentina. What is that? Could that come under the description of desperation? There will be plenty of ammunition [for the derby in April] don't worry."

Tevez returned to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and made a significant contribution to City's 2-1 win over Chelsea.