Tevez dismisses Ferguson claims over Man Utd exit

Rob Conlon
Carlos Tevez: Forward left Old Trafford in 2009

Carlos Tevez: Forward left Old Trafford in 2009

Carlos Tevez insists Manchester United failed to live up to a promise to sign him permanently before his acrimonious move to fierce rivals Manchester City.

Tevez spent two seasons on loan at Old Trafford before controversially joining neighbours City in 2009.

Explaining the decision not to sign the Argentina international permanently, Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Tevez told us he was only going to play for four more years.

“If we had signed him on a five-year contract knowing that he was going to quit in four, there would have been no re-sale value for us.”

The former United boss also described the reported £47million City paid to sign the striker as “incredible” for an “impact player”.

However, Tevez, who won a host of honours including two Premier League titles and a Champions League with the Red Devils, suggests he expected to stay at Old Trafford.

“Nothing happened with Ferguson, it was a normal relationship,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

“I went on loan to Manchester United for two seasons, and in the last year, Ferguson told me they will pay the fee to keep me.

“We reached the Champions League final in Rome, and I had no contract on the table. Then I went to City and they complained, but I had no offer to sign for United, and I was free to leave.”