Sir Alex Ferguson's personal plea fails to convince Carlos Tevez to stay
• Forward surprised by Manchester United manager's approach
• Move to Manchester City one of several options for Argentinian
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/11/carlos-tevez-alex-ferguson-manchester-united" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009 ... ter-united</a>
* Jamie Jackson
* The Guardian, Thursday 11 June 2009
* Article history
carlos tevez
Carlos Tevez was left nonplussed by Manchester United manager Sir Alex's Ferguson telephone plea for him to stay at Old Trafford. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
Shades of SAF's bizarre decision to go and collect Berbaflop from Manchester Airport last year.
Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have failed in a personal attempt to persuade ÂCarlos Tevez that his future remains at ÂManchester United after he telephoned the 25-year‑old striker to speak to him directly.
The Argentinian, who has become Âdisillusioned at Old Trafford, is Âconsidering his options, including a potential move across the city to Manchester City, although that is said to be "only one of a few options" he is Âweighing up. He is also said to have been nonplussed by ÂFerguson's intervention after a source close to him said: "You treat someone badly for a whole year, you don't make it up with a telephone call, right?"
The forward is unhappy at United because he believes that he should have been considered the automatic first-choice by Ferguson for the majority of United's high‑profile games last season. Tevez is also thought to be bemused that ÂFerguson is now seemingly keen to make him feel wanted only at the point where he may leave the club.
Tevez is in Quito for Argentina's World Cup qualifier with Ecuador, following which his advisers "will start talking with different clubs", the source confirmed. "It should take two to three weeks for ÂCarlos's future to be finally decided." When asked about moving to City, the source said: "It's an option. But no one option is more serious than another – City, Chelsea, Liverpool: they're all options." The source also confirmed that staying in the Premier League is the "first choice" for the Argentinian, who is reportedly also attracting interest from other European clubs.
Asked if the forward, who has scored 19 goals in the Premier League since Âjoining United two seasons ago, might still stay at Old Trafford, the source said there "is always a small chance" in football. Would Ferguson, then, try to personally intervene again? "Who knows? It's up to him."
FFS!