Carlos Tevez has revealed that his controversial move from Manchester United to Manchester City was driven by a desire for “revenge” against Sir Alex Ferguson after he felt the legendary manager failed to keep his promises.
The former Argentina international crossed Manchester in 2009 after spending two seasons at United on loan. Despite scoring 34 goals in 99 appearances for the Red Devils, Tevez left Old Trafford and joined their fierce rivals in a deal worth £47 million, which was a British transfer record at the time.
His switch proved successful on the pitch, with the striker scoring 73 goals in 148 appearances for Manchester City. However, Tevez has now offered a deeper insight into the personal frustration that shaped his decision to leave United, explaining that he felt his commitment to the club was not reciprocated.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents channel, Tevez reflected on his experiences at both Manchester clubs but admitted that his City move carried an emotional edge.
“Look, I feel like I left a lot at both teams. But if you make me choose, let’s say I had a great time at United. The other team, City, for me, was like a revenge for for, how can I put it, I didn’t get back what I gave,” he said.
Tevez claimed Ferguson had assured him that United would make his move permanent after the initial loan arrangement. According to the striker, the manager promised to secure his future in Manchester if he continued performing well.
“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’.
“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’.”
The situation became particularly painful for Tevez because of the support he received from United fans, who repeatedly urged Ferguson to sign him permanently. He recalled how supporters made their feelings clear during matches.
“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.'”
Tevez said he had given everything to United and struggled to understand why the club appeared unwilling to secure his long-term future, especially after their success on the pitch.
“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, if you remember, we won the Champions League. We won the league, and then to bring down my price, they brought in a player and I carried on the same way for the first months.
“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.”
Tevez’s comments shed fresh light on one of the most controversial transfers in Manchester football history. What began as a loan spell at Old Trafford ended with the forward joining City’s ambitious project, turning a frustrating personal dispute into a defining chapter of the rivalry between the two clubs.
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