A war of words has broken out between Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Tevez’s adviser over the striker’s
future.
Ferguson said a deal to keep Tevez at Old Trafford after his
loan expires in the summer had been put on the table.
Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian confirmed a meeting had taken
place with chief executive David Gill.
But he added: “It is categorically untrue Manchester United made
an offer to try to persuade Carlos to stay.”
The Argentine proved his worth to United on Wednesday night as
he scored in the 2-1 win over Wigan, a victory that moved the club
to within one point of a third consecutive Premier League
title.
Tevez, 25, has hinted he will leave as he has not been offered a
permanent deal but Ferguson said talks had begun.
“He knows I want him to stay. We spoke today and chief executive
David Gill has had meetings with him,” added Ferguson.
“We have given him an offer and we hope he accepts. “The problem
is we are not negotiating with a football club.”
Tevez’s registration is kept by Joorabchian and he claimed
United have not taken up the option to buy Tevez after his two-year
loan deal expires. A spokesman for Joorabchian said: “In 2007
Manchester United agreed a two-year loan deal for Carlos Tevez and
at the same time agreed the terms that would make the transfer
permanent.
“They have not taken up that option.”
Last weekend, Tevez told newspapers he expected to be leaving
Old Trafford in the summer because he had not yet received the
offer of a contract and Joorabchian backed up the player’s
comments.
“He’s been disappointed at the way he’s been treated – he
shouldn’t be in this situation,” stated Joorabchian.
“He did enough to warrant a contract last year but they decided
not to do that and to go for other players and in January he felt
he might be offered a contract and he wasn’t, so now I think he
feels not as good as when he first joined.
“The fact of the matter is Carlos hasn’t asked for any amount of
money and hasn’t been offered any amount of money – that’s where we
are at the moment.” Team-mate Wayne Rooney believes Ferguson should
make Tevez a permanent player.
He commented: “He is a world-class player and you always want to
see him playing here.
“I enjoy playing with him so hopefully he can stay.
“He has a lot of energy and he has scored a lot of vital goals
for us this season. His work rate is brilliant so hopefully he will
sign. I would like him to.”