Tom Oldfield
On 16th December 2007, Manchester United made a big statement in the title race with a priceless 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. It was Grand Slam Sunday and the champions had delivered a vital blow.
The scorer that day? Carlos Tevez. The little Argentine was perfectly placed six yards out to divert the ball home after a cleverly worked corner involving Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney and this contribution was enough to keep United in the thick of the race.
That afternoon, it would have seemed crazy to suggest that a year later Tevez would have been frozen out at Old Trafford and that 18 months later he would turn down the club’s offer in favour of pastures new, potentially faced with choosing between Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid among others. It appears that City have the edge with their financial muscle but this is not the way that most expected to see the Argentine’s time at United end.
Much changed for the Red Devils in that year and a half and Tevez has been hit with the harsh consequences. Most significantly, as the Argentine himself has pointed out, Dimitar Berbatov was signed on a big money deal from Tottenham at the start of the 2008/09 season. As a direct result, Tevez found his first-team minutes limited and felt himself slip down the pecking order. This was obviously hard to take and the issues with Sir Alex Ferguson began.
Tevez had been an important cog in the Premier League and Champions League double of 2007/08, producing some vital contributions and striking up an excellent understanding with Rooney up front. He might only have been on loan but no player gave more to the team cause. Who could forget his tireless performance in the semi-final second leg against Barcelona? But, from mid-September 2008 onwards, he felt sidelined in favour of the attacking trio of Berbatov, Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
United bagged the title again, despite Tevez’s smaller contribution, but Ferguson’s confusion over his front line seemed to scupper their European glory bid. By the time of the final in late May, Ferguson had lost faith in both Tevez and Berbatov, opting instead to use Ronaldo through the middle. Starting as a substitute in Rome was the last straw for the Argentine and convinced him once and for all that leaving the club was the only genuine option.
As Tevez became increasingly vocal about his grievances, the United fans added their voice to the stand-off, clearly dismayed at the prospect of losing the striker over the summer. They repeatedly urged Ferguson to keep the striker at Old Trafford, regularly chanting “Fergie, sign him up”, but by this stage there was no turning back for Tevez.
The United manager made a late bid to keep him, publicly declaring his desire to sign the Argentine. But ultimately the striker saw his future elsewhere after months of uncertainty and frustration. And with Ronaldo moving to Real for £80M, suddenly there is plenty for Ferguson to sort out at Old Trafford ahead of the new season. If a fourth straight title is to be achieved, United need fresh faces.
Last month, Tevez told the media: “I did not feel supported after they [United] signed Berbatov because I was the man for the job he was bought to do. Ferguson told me not be worried about Berbatov’s arrival, but I did not like it when he started to put me on the bench often. I gave my life for the Manchester United shirt.
“Last year [2007/08], I was the second top-scorer after Cristiano [Ronaldo]. We won two titles [the Premier League and the Carling Cup] and being shut out like this was something that I could not understand.” It had been a sad sight to see the striker as a frustrated spectator on the touchline, with his team-mates busy chasing silverware.
And then United confirmed what most already strongly suspected – Tevez was definitely off. A statement from Old Trafford said: “Disappointingly, his advisors informed the club that he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United. The club thanks Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.” So that was that. The Argentine had played his last game in the red of United and would now sit back and watch the offers come rolling in over the summer months before making his decision.
It seems highly likely now that Tevez will bring his intriguing blend of energy, industry and sharp shooting to another English club for next season, possibly even United’s city rivals. It is an ending that no one could have predicted. But if and when he returns to Old Trafford in the opposition camp, expect to see a man with a big, big point to prove in front of supporters who have idolised him from day one. The Argentine thrives on scoring important goals – it would just be typical of him to bag the winner that day.
Related Articles:
- – Is Silva Answer for Man Utd Ronaldo Recovery?
- – Should Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool Worry About Owen Man Utd Move?
- – Is Federico Macheda Man Utd’s New Solskjaer?
Colombus Crew 09/10 Home Real Salt Lake 09/10 Home
