Tevez leaving United

Following contact received from Carlos Tevez’s advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club.

The Club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the Club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club’s most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

The Club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.

Report by Communications Dept.

Fans' views mixed over Tevez

As always, United fans around the world rushed to our message board after reading the breaking news about Carlos Tevez on ManUtd.com. Here are some extracts...

I'm very disappointed, I would have loved him to stay, his work ethic was brilliant. But we are a bigger club than two players. I'm sure Sir Alex will have replacements in mind; however I think Macheda and Welbeck can really stake a claim now. In an ideal world I would like to see Benzema, Ribery and Valencia come but I don't think we'll get Ribery as Munich are asking for ridiculous money. Personally I think we should use the money offered for Tevez (25 million) + 5m to Lyon straight off to get Benzema, then tie up the Valencia deal with Wigan. Then I think someone like Ashley Young could be a great hit at OT, especially under the guidance of SAF. He would be a good buy at 15-20m. I would like to say good luck to Carlos and Ronny and thank them for their service, but United will move on and come out of this stronger.
- Nathan Scholes

I'm gutted. The two players that are leaving, Ronaldo and Tevez, will leave a huge hole. They both have different attributes and are quality players. I am just praying with all my heart that by this time next week we all have something to rejoice about with some new signings. I am shocked at how fast both players have left but I hope "What goes around, comes around" is true for us.
- MacunianT&T

The truth is that Tevez is a good player but will not be greatly missed like Ronaldo. What United needs is a player that can deliver goals always and Tevez does not belong to that class. Sir Alex has always let players go and never regretted doing so. Come the start of the season, I know he'll have bought the right players and we will win again.
- oriade ayeni


I'm a little sad to be honest. I know last year he did not play with much penetration (unlike the season before) but as a lifelong United fan, I appreciate when players show they care and no one can fault his effort on the pitch. I am also a little sad to see Ronaldo leave but I will always be very grateful for his contribution. These things happen in modern football so I guess we just have to live with it. I have faith SAF will know what to do but frankly it's a couple of pairs of big boots to fill. Good luck to both and all the best!
- tchoo18

I'm over the moon. He can go play one-touch football somewhere else. Wait. He doesn't have a touch so it will probably be City.
- NikB

I'm happy he`s gone. He was a pitbull on the pitch but sulked like a girl off it. Ferguson has a big job to do now, but I'm sure he will bring in the right players.
- me23

I'm not really that surprised, he seemed hell bent on a move away. He scored vital goals, he was a great player and a real trier especially when we were not playing well - that's when we'll miss him. I'm sure Sir Alex will relish the challenge of replacing him but it also provides the opportunity for Nani, Tosic and Anderson to stake a claim for a starting place.
- david otoa

The comments expressed in this article are personal to the supporters who posted them on the Talking Reds message board. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Report by Adam Bostock

Ex-Reds' regrets as Carlos quits

Former United players Lou Macari and Clayton Blackmore have voiced their dismay at Carlos Tevez's departure - and the motives for his move.

Ex-midfielder Macari, now a respected pundit for MUTV, said on Saturday: "I'm disappointed that Carlos Tevez won't be playing at Manchester United next season.

"I think he would have been a regular in the team next season had he stayed. Ronaldo's going, so Tevez would be needed."

Reds legend Lou supports the efforts made by his former club to keep Carlos.

"I don't think United could have done any more," he said.

"Tevez was offered a five-year contract and five years is a long time to commit to any player, but I think that was in recognition of what he did last season, both when he started games and when he came on as a sub.

"He was a well-liked player at Old Trafford and it will be a big loss to everyone."

Although clearly an admirer of Tevez's playing talents, Lou seems less than convinced by the reasons given for his decision.

"One of those excuses we hear when a player moves on is, 'I want to play regular club football because I want to play for my national team.' But Carlos is still going to be a regular for Argentina even if he's only playing every so often for United.

"It's simple nowadays - if a player or his agent don't want him to sign for a certain club, then they don't sign. It's rather surprising because Carlos Tevez couldn't get a better club than Manchester United. But I think we're in a day and age when the size and stature of a club isn't the main reason why a player signs or doesn't sign.

"It's advisors, it's money, it's all the wrong reasons. Carlos Tevez has been fantastic for United but he and his agent have decided to move on, and move on they will."

Another ex-player and MUTV pundit agreed with Macari on the motivation for Tevez's move. Clayton Blackmore said:

"I think it's money. It might be due a little bit to his name not being first on the team-sheet, but very few players are guaranteed a start at United and I would put it more down to money.

"I don't think it was in his hands, I think he would have been happy with what he was offered. I think it's the people in charge of him (his representatives) who were the problem.

"I felt the writing was on the wall when I saw his body language at the end of the season and the interview he gave after the final home game against Arsenal. So I'm not too surprised; I was more surprised when Ronaldo left.

"We're going to miss Tevez's work-rate and he is a great finisher. But I'm sure the manager will have someone up his sleeve and he'll come up trumps again."

Clayton Blackmore and Lou Macari were speaking to Sky Sports News.

Report by Adam Bostock