Tevez accuses Ferguson of broken promise that triggered shock Manchester City switch

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that a broken promise from Sir Alex Ferguson led him to join bitter rivals Manchester City in 2009, describing the move as an act of “revenge.”

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Tevez detailed a conversation during United’s pre-season in which Ferguson assured him a permanent deal would follow his two-year loan.

“They spoke to me before the two year loan. After, if you play well, we pay the contract after one year.

“Fergie told me, ‘Carlos, now I’m going to pay out your contract and you’re going to stay in Manchester’. The team went to a pre-season. I remember this conversation with Fergie. He said ‘I’m going to pay for Berbatov but you, don’t worry, I’m going to buy you and we’ll do your contract,” Tevez said.

Tevez claimed Ferguson then failed to follow through and instead began limiting his playing time.

“I think that Ferguson had, from the day we talked, up to six months to keep his word. And he didn’t. On the contrary, he started leaving me on the bench. In my head, he started pushing me aside so he could bring down what I was worth. And that’s what hurt me the most,” he stressed.

He added that the experience was deeply personal, “For me it was hard Rio. It was hard because I felt like I’d given my heart to United. And I didn’t feel the same.”

Tevez arrived at Old Trafford in 2007 on a two-year loan arrangement after a successful spell at West Ham.

He formed part of a potent attack alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, contributing to consecutive Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League victory.

United signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham in 2008, adding further competition in the forward line.

By the end of the 2008/09 season, United did not exercise the option to make Tevez’s stay permanent.

He joined Manchester City on a five-year deal, a transfer that sparked fury among United supporters and players.

Tevez later helped City win the 2012 Premier League title and was photographed holding a “RIP Fergie” banner during celebrations.

Despite the acrimonious exit, Tevez said he looks back more fondly on his United years.

“I had a great time at United. The other team, City, for me, was like a revenge. I didn’t get back what I gave,” he revealed.

Rio Ferdinand, his former teammate, described the departure as damaging to the dressing room, saying it “killed us.”