Carlos Tevez has revealed that he moved to Manchester City to get revenge on Sir Alex Ferguson for breaking promises made at Manchester United. The striker joined the Etihad Stadium side in 2009 following a two-year loan spell at United from West Ham.
Move across Manchester
Despite an impressive period at Old Trafford, during which he scored 34 goals in 99 appearances, the two clubs could not agree on a permanent transfer. Real Madrid were reportedly interested in Tevez, but City secured his signature for a British-record £47 million in 2009.
Tevez spent four years at United's rivals, registering 73 goals in 148 matches. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents channel, the former Argentina international explained why he opted to switch across Manchester.
Revenge motive
He said: "Look, I feel like I left a lot, uh, at both teams. But if you make me choose, let's say, uh, I had a great time at United. The other team, uh, City, for me, was like a revenge for for, how can I put it, uh, I didn't get back what I gave."
Two-year loan deals are relatively uncommon in football and were subsequently banned by FIFA in 2022, but Tevez was among the few to undertake such a transfer. After delivering some impressive performances, he seemed certain to join United permanently, though that outcome failed to materialise.
Broken promises
Tevez revealed that he held discussions with Sir Alex Ferguson regarding his future but ultimately felt the manager failed to honour his commitments. He said: "They spoke to me. The two year [loan], after, if you play well, pay the contract after one year.
"Fergie told me: 'Carlos, I'm going to pay out your contract and you're going to stay in Manchester'. The team went to a pre-season in Los Angeles.
"I remember this conversation with Fergie. He said: 'I'm going to pay for Berbatov but don't worry, I'm going to buy you the thing and we'll do your contract'.
"For me, the Man United fans understand. You remember in the game the fans speaking to Ferguson. 'Fergie sign him. Sign him up, sign him up'.
"For me it was... It was hard. It was hard because I felt like I'd given my heart to United. And I didn't feel the same.
"I didn't feel the same because, uh, if you remember, we won the Champions League, we won the league and, and then, to bring down my price, they brought in a player and I carried on the same way for the first months."
The second months, let's say, of the second year. But by the second, the second month, I didn't want to know any more.
"I think that Ferguson had, from the day we talked in Los Angeles 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."
