'Loyal' Tevez hurt by abuse

City striker feels his time with United should be better rewarded

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 4th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

'Loyal' Tevez hurt by abuse

Tevez: Hot reception

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Carlos Tevez feels the treatment he now receives from Manchester United fans is unfair after the loyalty he showed them.

The striker spent two years at Old Trafford but switched allegiances over the summer when he spurned the chance to extend his stay with the Red Devils and instead join Manchester City.

Although the champions failed to lodge a formal bid for the 25-year-old, Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly asked the Argentine to stay after the UEFA Champions League final defeat in Rome but Tevez insists his mind was already made up.

The former West Ham favourite enjoyed tremendous success with United, winning two league crowns and a European Cup, but felt unwanted as the club stalled over offering him a permanent deal.

Tevez returned to a frosty reception at the Theatre of Dreams earlier in the season as United triumphed 4-3 in the first derby of the campaign.

"Obviously I was disappointed because I don't think I deserved to be treated that way. When I was there I was a hard-working and loyal player who gave my all," he said.

"After the (Champions League) final, Ferguson tried to get me to sign permanently but I told him I was moving on.

"My contract was terminated on the day of the Champions League final, so there was no time for negotiations. And my heart was set on a move elsewhere."

Respect

The Carling Cup has thrown the two clubs together for a two-legged semi-final tie and Tevez believes the clash should be billed as a classic.

"Obviously it's going to be a 'clasico' and I'm very happy to be playing United," he added.

"I played there for two years and now I'm going to have to play against many of my friends once again."

Despite feeling a sense of injustice at his treatment from United fans since his departure, Tevez reveals that should he score against his former club he will not celebrate.

"Obviously I'd be delighted to beat United and reach the final but I still have respect for the club," he said.

"I won't celebrate if I score. I don't want to rub their noses in it."

Comments (99)

Mark Malone (Manchester United fan) says...

I love that little man Tevez. But finishing his contract is not loyalty. It's just him finishing his contract and moving on. He complained about being on the bench too much with us, but it's the same story with city.. I think he wanted to go for more money and maybe he is right, it's a career after all. We are fans we show loyalty, players do this to make a living. They retire early after all. I wish the little legend well, he was tough honest and hard working and i wish he stayed, but berbatov and rooney are both better players. (Berbatov is not over rated) he a poor mans ibrahimovic maybe but still quality. City Fans, lol until you win some trophies... keep quiet about who's the biggest team in Manchester. Get rid of hughes 1st off. He a donkey. Benitez maybe? lol

Posted 14:46 4th December 2009

Jaan De beer (Chelsea fan) says...

Citeh's current league form: DDDDDDD - 7 Draws vs: Villa, Wigan, Fulham, Birmingham, Burnley, Liverpool and Hull... Top four?! Give it a rest...!!!!

Posted 14:44 4th December 2009

Neil Clark (West Ham United fan) says...

COME HOME CARLOS WE LOVE YOU STILL SON!

Posted 14:19 4th December 2009

Gerard Mooney (Manchester United fan) says...

I will always hold Tevez close to my heart. I will not boo him if he does score I will clap. He was very important more so last year in the title run in. I feel this club need to sign more players in his mould as we have no hero's with a long term future at the club.

Posted 14:17 4th December 2009

Dog Ofwar (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

In war they call Mr Tevez's and Mr Mascherano's kind Mercenaries. they showed the same loyalty to the flourishing West Ham when the Scandanavian had pumped in Millions. Then when it disappeared, so did they! Strange old thing that Carlos's loyalty suddenly shifted when City's prospects looked brighter. The only thing he and others of the same modern ilk give to clubs nowadays is theirs, and their agents Bank Account details. How can he spout about loyalty to Man U and completely dishonour the actions of players like Giggs, Neville & Scholes. Even to hope he won nothing at City would make no odds to him as he has already won with his bulging bank account. As the likes of Messrs Claridge and Lawrenson said on Wednesday night, Mark Hughes has amassed a team of good individuals, and not a good team.

Posted 14:12 4th December 2009

James Richards (Cardiff City fan) says...

is he really that big of a loss? He didnt play much last year and utd still won the league! Rather than talk about utd he should concentrate on his club form, not like hes contributing much with the goals considering hes a striker.........he cost my dream team a few point for about 2 weeks!

Posted 14:04 4th December 2009

Matthew Elliott (Manchester United fan) says...

Mr Tevez......... What loyalty did you ever show to Utd? Yes you worked hard and gave 100% effort, but that is what we expect from all of our players and was why we bought you in the first place. The time for loyalty was after the champs League final when the new contract was offered. An immediate decline of the contract in favour of joining City means your suggestion of loyalty is a complete joke!!

Posted 13:54 4th December 2009

Rohan Patil (Manchester United fan) says...

Some body said here Tevez signed for club which is going places. ya he is right they are going places... but wrong direction; Sunderland or Fulham will finish better than Man City

Posted 13:54 4th December 2009

Kristopher Walker (Manchester City fan) says...

The fact that there are so many comments from Manchester United fans, show that they're clearly not over the fact that he plays for us, it's the same with Ferguson and his mind games or touchy attitude to our progression to quote "not in my lifetime". You all are, including Ferguson, are clearly threatened by the progression of Man City not just this season, but in the transfer market, as you found out when Tevez signed for us. Yeah one of Tevez's reasons for signing for us might have been financial, but that is the way football is these days and just because United can't compete with the financial muscle of City, Chelsea, Real Madrid etc, they like to draw upon this point as a reason why they don't get the big players. Yeah Tevez is getting a lot of money, good for him, he gets to stay in Manchester where his family are settled, he gets first team football rather than playing behind an overrated Berbatov and he gets worshipped by the most loyal fans in the world, so I'm sure over time when the era of Manchester United has passed and we are triumphant, Carlos Tevez won't be remembered as the United benchwarmer who left for more money but a City legend who led us to World domination! City til I Die!

Posted 13:41 4th December 2009

Lee Roy (Liverpool fan) says...

Ha ha I love it, now Teves is not a great player and Berba is better when last season is was the other way round. United fans crack me up!! And since when have City been Uniteds biggest rivals, I think you will find that is Liverpool.

Posted 13:40 4th December 2009

Benny Manc (Manchester United fan) says...

Man city will ALWAYS be the small club of Manchester will it take you guys another century to realise that

Posted 13:40 4th December 2009

Martin Furlong (Manchester United fan) says...

What does this muppet expect! Yes he was great for us and I would have loved for him to have steyed but he left us after United offered him a great deal and what does he do he signed for City for more money then slaggs off united! Another reason was that he wanted first team football and as far as I can see he spending more time on the bench than he is playing! He playing as back up to craig bellamy which proves he must have not been that great!! So Teves keep your mouth shut as long as your wearing a City shirt you will get booed out of Old Trafford so get used to it and you do deserve it!!!

Posted 13:37 4th December 2009

Kenny Mccurdy (Manchester United fan) says...

Even though im a united fan, i still think that tevez was a loyal player when he was contracted to united and it's united's fault that he isn't there anymore. The length of time they spent talking about signing him was ridiculous and I don't blame him for moving on, I wasn't happy that he went to city but that is his decision. As far as the carling cup is concerned, i think that united will draw at eastlands and demolish them at old trafford and then go on to win the cup easily. I stll think carlos tevez is a great player and I wish him all the best for the future. He was a great servant to united and will be to city.

Posted 13:34 4th December 2009

Matthew Muuurtop (Manchester City fan) says...

OMG All these MAN U Fans, Have you forgot that when ferguson subbed him you were all booing ferguson. how quickly can you change your mind - i know you all still love him but cant show it coz he has come to the only FOOTBALL TEAM in MANCHESTER!!!!

Posted 13:32 4th December 2009

Cornish Blue (Manchester City fan) says...

Reading the comments of the United fans it is clear they are worried sick about the progress being made by Man City. They know they can not compete in the transfer market as they are broke. Fergie has gone on record, saying they can not compete in todays inflated market. Remember this you envious reds. All those miles you travel from far off places to get to Old Trfford the more petrol you useand the more money our owners make.Happy days

Posted 13:30 4th December 2009

Mish Patel (Manchester United fan) says...

How can Tevez claim to be loyal to Utd when he turned down the change to sign for Manchester United? Contradiction! Second he signs for Utd hated rivals - Man City? again a Contradiction. I know he has only been in the country a couple of years but someone needs to get him a better English teacher!! He speaks a load of non sense!!

Posted 13:27 4th December 2009

Nathan Hull (Newcastle United fan) says...

In what way is he loyal exactly? Did the job he was supposed to do for vast amounts of cash for two whole years WOW. Then proceeds to jump ship to Man United's city rivals, slag off the manager and complain that he gets booed! What did this guy expect exactly? I'm really lost as to why he calls himself loyal? Ryan Giggs is LOYAL, Niall Quinn is LOYAL, Alan Shearer is LOYAL. Carlos Tevez is a MERCENARY, like so many of today's players. Maybe he should keep his mouth shut, stop whinging and convert some of the recent draws into wins!

Posted 13:26 4th December 2009

Ben Mcdonough (Manchester United fan) says...

Shut up Tevez and get on with it !! You knew what you were doing and knew what would happen on your return to United wearing Citys blue shirt. If it had happened the other way around he would have got the same reception from the City fans....he was asked to stay, maybe a bit late in the day, but he chose to go because of the money the greedy little man !!!

Posted 13:22 4th December 2009

Kenzie Cole (Newcastle United fan) says...

Man Utd fans should get off his back and try and get their side on Chelsea's level! give it 2 years and City will be the top club in manchester

Posted 13:22 4th December 2009

Sam Mervyn (Manchester United fan) says...

Dene Unsworth got it right. I think many people who have posted here are in confusion about why he gets booed. We boo him, not because he left us for City, but primarily because of his comments made to the press about United and Sir Alex. The fact that he made those comments and subsequently turned down our offer to sign him and chose City instead got him in this little situation. I suspect that even he doesn't know that yet.

Posted 13:20 4th December 2009

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private