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Carlos Tevez has revealed that his 2009 move from Manchester United to Manchester City was fueled by a desire for revenge after he felt betrayed by Sir Alex Ferguson. In a conversation with his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, the Argentine forward claimed that Ferguson failed to honor a promise to secure his permanent transfer to Old Trafford following a two-year loan spell, Šport.sk reported.
The Broken Agreement at Old Trafford
Tevez stated that he entered his initial loan agreement with the understanding that a permanent contract would follow if his performances met the club’s standards. According to the striker, Ferguson personally assured him of a future at the club before the 2008-2009 season. “Fergie told me personally: ‘Carlos, I will buy you and you will stay in Manchester,'” Tevez recalled. He noted that the manager specifically addressed the impending arrival of Dimitar Berbatov, telling him not to worry because the club intended to sign both players.
Despite these assurances, Tevez claimed that Ferguson allowed six months to pass without finalizing the deal. The situation shifted significantly as Tevez found himself relegated to the bench, a decision he interpreted as a deliberate attempt to decrease his market value. “In my head, I thought he was isolating me on purpose to lower my price. That is what hurt me the most,” Tevez said.
Motivation for the Manchester City Transfer
The transition to Manchester City became more than a professional change for the Argentine; it became a personal response to his treatment at United. Tevez emphasized that the move was motivated by a sense of injustice despite the trophies he helped win, including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League title.
“It was extremely difficult for me, Rio, because I gave my whole heart for United, but I did not receive the same treatment in return,” Tevez said. He explained that after contributing to major successes, the arrival of other players made him feel devalued. While he continued to give his best effort during the early months of the instability, he eventually reached a point where he felt he had no choice but to leave. “My transfer to City was revenge. I didn’t get back what I gave to the club,” he stated.
The Impact of Behind-the-Scenes Decisions
Tevez noted that the public remained largely unaware of the private conversations between him and the manager during that period. He suggested that the lack of transparency regarding his contract status created an environment where he felt forced to look for alternatives. By the time he departed, his relationship with the club hierarchy had deteriorated to the point where he felt his contributions were no longer recognized or rewarded by the leadership at Old Trafford.
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