On the bench: Tevez has not started in United's last two
games
Carlos Tevez is growing frustrated and mystified about
why Manchester
United have not asked him to sign a
permanent deal. The Argentina forward is beginning to wonder if he
is fully appreciated by last season’s double winners and is puzzled
as to why promises of a long-term deal have not been fulfilled by
the club.
Tevez and his representatives were told by United in July that
moves to turn his two-year loan arrangement into a permanent
£32million transfer were imminent. They were subsequently
encouraged when chief executive David Gill went public on the
club’s intentions.
‘We have spoken to Carlos and see him as part of our long-term
squad,’ said Gill during United’s pre-season tour of South Africa.
‘The only issue is that we would have to sort out a long-term
contract for him. ‘But it’s not a problem. We can do it in
September, October, November or December. Sir Alex Ferguson has
explained it to him and he is very comfortable with it.’
At that stage, Tevez was indeed relaxed about his situation but the
£31m arrival of striker Dimitar Berbatov and the fact the Bulgarian
was handed the No 9 shirt has caused Tevez to question his place in
the pecking order.
It has also now been made clear to Tevez and his agent Kia
Joorabchian that a long-term contract will not be placed in front
of him until next summer.
United boss Ferguson said recently: ‘As I understand it a permanent
deal will happen at the end of the season. There is no doubt in my
mind Carlos Tevez will be here next season and signing the
contract.’
United stressed last night that there had been no change of heart
regarding Tevez’s future. Nevertheless, the club did not explain
why assurances given to Tevez in the summer have not been backed up
by a firm offer. The financial terms of a £32m transfer were put in
place in summer 2007 when Tevez came to United after a season at
West Ham. All that needs to be agreed is Tevez’s wages.
Battle: Tevez is no longer clear first choice
But with football being affected by the credit crunch, it is
thought United are not keen on committing to a contract until
absolutely necessary, though they will today announce a renewal of
their sponsorship deal with Budweiser until 2010.
Also, Tevez will probably seek a pay increase on his £80,000-a-week
deal and United see no reason why they should negotiate one until
nearer the end of the loan arrangement. Tevez remains content at
the club and has privately laughed off stories linking him with
United’s newly-rich neighbours Manchester City.
If the 23-year-old does decide to leave United his likely
destination will be Spain. Tevez said: ‘Ever since I came here I
have wanted to sign a permanent contract. I had a very happy first
season and I would be very happy if the chairman would put a
permanent contract in front of me. I would sign it without a
doubt.’
Nevertheless, the former Corinthians player fears privately that he
is not as valued as some of his more glamorous colleagues, simply
because his style of play is not always as exciting.
Tevez has admitted in public recently that his goal threat has
diminished because of the worker’s role he is asked to play at
United and he is now wondering if this is beginning to influence
the club’s attitude towards him. Tevez is fighting for a regular
place in the United attack. He did not start against Blackburn at
the weekend or at Aalborg in the Champions League last Tuesday but
was in the team that beat Bolton 10 days ago.
One-off: Paul Ince has told the Old Trafford faithful not to
compare Berbatov to Cantona
Meanwhile, Paul Ince has warned United fans not to expect Berbatov
to have the same incredible impact at Old Trafford as Eric
Cantona. The Blackburn boss claimed comparisons with the
flamboyant Frenchman would not help the 27-year-old make his
mark.
‘It’s a bit unfair to put that pressure on him straight away,’ said
Ince. ‘Berbatov is fantastic but Cantona was a one-off for me.
Dimitar has to put the Cantona comparisons to bed by being himself.
His qualities are different to Eric’s.’
