Paul Parker Article

Paul Parker

United must keep Tevez

Tue Jan 06 12:12PM

What the next few weeks hold for Carlos Tevez is unsure, but I am certain about one thing: if Manchester United allow him to leave, they will soon come to regret it.

I know it's been said before - remember how United were expected to struggle without the likes of Paul Ince, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy? - but this time I seriously believe United will suffer from the departure of a player who embodies the club's spirit.

Not only does he make and score goals, his work rate is incredible. He is not afraid to track back, help out defensively and undertake the dirty work others are not so willing to do. He is a constant thorn in the opposition's side, even when things are not going well for him.

And his attitude is exemplary. Have we seen the slightest hint of a sulk when he is forced to sit on the bench? And has he ever given less than 100 per cent when he does get a chance to play? No.

That's why United fans love him so much. And I believe that feeling is reciprocated; Tevez doesn't want to leave United, but if he did I would understand. After all, every footballer wants to play and very few would be happy to sit on the bench, especially at a club like United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was an anomaly in that respect, although his position on the bench was perhaps more justifiable given the form of the three strikers ahead of him in the pecking order - Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham.

The fact of the matter is that at the moment neither Wayne Rooney nor Dimitar Berbatov is playing better than Tevez. Both are terribly inconsistent and Berbatov in particular is beginning to frustrate with his lacklustre displays.

Tevez would have every right to question why he is not in the starting line-up at the moment. At any other club in the country, including other members of the Big Four, he would be playing from the first whistle. I believe if a player is playing well, then he should continue playing. When his form dips, try someone else, regardless of reputation. It's simple.

But unfortunately Tevez may not even be the one who has the final say on where he ends up. As seems to be the norm these days, a player's future lies firmly in the hands of others - in his case, the company that owns his economic rights.

A year ago, United thought he was worth £32 million in what was a bloated market and few disagreed. But 12 months down the track no player, even one as valuable as Tevez, is worth such a hefty sum.

But I fear that his owners are set on getting that amount in full from United and if they don't, Tevez will be moved on.

Fortunately, given the global economic downturn, Manchester City are probably the only club around with a spare £32m. But I don't think Tevez would make a move across town given how he feels towards United fans.

So perhaps all will end well for United and their fans and Tevez will end up staying. I certainly hope he does - his enthusiasm, attitude and talent would be sorely missed.

  1. Good article Paul. I agree, Tevez needs to stay. He is a big match player and always get important goals in important games. He stepped up to the plate numerous times last season and saved us, and just look what the achieved for the mighty hammers. All this talk about United not having enough money is stupid. United have just one The Premier League, the Champions league and the World Championship, you cant tell me one of the already richest clubs in the world are skint after that amount of success?
    And yes your correct Paul, Tevez has every right to feel hard done by. On paper Rooney and Berbatov are better players, but they are sooooooo inconsistent and Berbatov is one lazy james blunt!
    Tevez to stay!!!!

    joe.stampFrom joe.stamp on Tue Jan 06 01:12PM

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  2. Absolutely! Not only he's 100% committed on the pitch, his loyalty to Utd makes him worth every pound of that 32m transfer fee!

    If Ronaldo wants to go, let him, but seriously we need to keep Tevez!

    kwanylongyFrom kwanylongy on Tue Jan 06 01:33PM

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  3. would be well funny to see him join man city. if he doesnt play on weds in the cup, he is off as he has been mouthing off about fergie today.

    karlbilloFrom karlbillo on Tue Jan 06 01:42PM

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  4. This guy has to stay and be given a starting place. Berbs makes me cringe(he strolls about - picks up the ball and slows everything to an absolute standstill by turning with the ball in circles.... mesmerising). Agreed Tevez is over the odds at 32m, 25m would be the most we could stretch to given we've just splashed 17m and market.

    samuelmanleyFrom samuelmanley on Tue Jan 06 01:53PM

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  5. I agree with you on two points, 1)32m is far too much, 2) tevez puts in 100% every game, the rest of the stuff you wrote is utter @#$%, how you can put him in the Man-U side ahead of Rooney and Berbs I dont know, also the idea that Berbs has done nothing this season is utter cr@p, while he has not scored that many goals this season he has 7 assists (the second highest in the premier league) and Rooney has 4 goals despite being asked on some occasions to play on the wing and his quality goes without saying.

    cansofswineFrom cansofswine on Tue Jan 06 02:10PM

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  6. If I were SAF, I would give Tevez (not neccessarily cos he merits it) a starting shirt against Derby and Chelsea, and see what he produces. Between both matches, I would expect at least two assists and a goal, or else his place on the bench is confirmed. That apart, SAF should secure his future at United for the sake of team spirit, and as a first class backup in March.

    ekongubFrom ekongub on Tue Jan 06 02:20PM

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  7. Sorry Paul but I find your views very old school and they (your views) show you might have been a decent player in your time but you have not achieved a deeper understanding of the game. The latest example being your comments on Berbatov, How can anyone overlook his quality. I can only assume your not looking properly and just seeing what you want to see. Regards Paul.H

    pjhaworthFrom pjhaworth on Tue Jan 06 02:39PM

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  8. TEVEZ IS GOOD BUT 30 M IS TOO MUCH. REMEMBER MAN U PAID 10M FOR THE LOAN DEAL

    shaibupeaceFrom shaibupeace on Tue Jan 06 02:45PM

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  9. so let me get this straight.....SAF in willing to spend €51m on 4 completely untested players (Nani,Anderson and the two Serbs) but isn't willing to spend €32m on a tried a tested player who is an embodiment of what Utd are?? Wtf is wrong with him???

    robertmjolleyFrom robertmjolley on Tue Jan 06 03:08PM

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  10. ALEX FERGUSON IS STUPID ... DUMB ...

    kickd24From kickd24 on Tue Jan 06 03:18PM

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  11. WHY ALEX FERGUSON IS STUPID.. BECAUSE HE UNDER ESTIMATED THE VALUE OF TEVEZ .. TEVEZ IS A GREAT FIGHTER AND TRULY AWESOME .. BERBATOV JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH.. REMEMBER LAST SEASON .. TEVEZ GIVE UNITED PREMIER LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE..
    ROONEY AND BERBATOV IS POOR PARTNERSHIP.. ROONEY AND TEVEZ IS AWESOME LAST SEASON .. I HOPE TEVEZ GOES TO RTEAL MADRID WHERE HE CAN PLAY AND SHOW HIS TALENT ...

    kickd24From kickd24 on Tue Jan 06 03:21PM

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  12. Carols Teves is the biggest minger in football.

    evanskopiteFrom evanskopite on Tue Jan 06 03:22PM

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  13. 11) Berbatov not good enough???? what planet are u on, 7 assists, second highest in the premier league, duh!!

    cansofswineFrom cansofswine on Tue Jan 06 03:35PM

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  14. its true and i think if Tevez leaves there will be problem for a while just like when van Nisteroy left..... We do need Tevez he is an Asees as i know for now.... peace Man U

    dehansomeFrom dehansome on Tue Jan 06 05:03PM

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  15. Kickd24....ask ur slf whos stupid u moron....SAF will do whats right for the club like he has always done....Beckham, Bruce etc....his only regreat has been @#$% Stam

    scslogisticsFrom scslogistics on Tue Jan 06 05:03PM

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  16. its true and i think if Tevez leaves there will be problem for a while just like when van Nisteroy left..... We do need Tevez he is an Asset as i know for now.... peace Man U

    dehansomeFrom dehansome on Tue Jan 06 05:03PM

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  17. Totally agree - i dont know any Utd fans that don't want him to stay. You have to put faith in Fergie, but this time im struggling to. I would play Tevez before Berbatov every game and any day of the week.

    domc882000From domc882000 on Tue Jan 06 05:06PM

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  18. On berbatov i think he is playing according to instructions from Sir if not i think he would have been scoring goals and will be playing as he was playing at spurs...Sir wants a player maker out of him not that scoring cos he feels he has those who can do the scoring but need a play maker thats why he is playing like that,but he do have quality.....he is a jojo.....

    dehansomeFrom dehansome on Tue Jan 06 05:09PM

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  19. Good writing, good reason. All the clues Alex needs about Teves is what Paul has just put forth. I wish Alex heeds not so that Teves will move on and United will have problems. May Alex's sturbon skull ramins so.

    talktoluxyonlineFrom talktoluxyonline on Tue Jan 06 05:16PM

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  20. There's no right or wrong, but personally i think let him go will be a great disappointment to the club especially when the schedule get tight and injury might arise at some stage. Although Berba value's 30M but his work rate seems way below the mark,unlike Tevez, always be patient though keep warming the bench and always prove the manager wrong for goods. Whatever happen this upcoming transfer, i hope success will always be with u mr tevez~ :)

    slay_flameFrom slay_flame on Tue Jan 06 05:22PM

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  21. I agree with Ince on 1 subject, and that is that Carlitos Tevez is a player that leaves his heart on the pitch....those are the players that should be admired, because they bring energy to the game and make everyone else play better. Now I disagree about the comments he made i regards to Berbatov, he is a world class player....and granted, he has not scored many goals but he has a lot of assists and is not a selfish player, he plays for the team and is always looking for a player in better position to score....... Sorry Ince, I think he is WORLD CLASS!!!

    pimpmunguia1984From pimpmunguia1984 on Tue Jan 06 05:22PM

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  22. Tevez is a great player, Rooney is a great player, Berbatov is an exceptional player, and the only player of the three capable of taking Utd to a higher level, just as Cantona did. I really hope Tevez stays and I would let Ronaldo go before I would sell Tevez.

    chriscunningham92From chriscunningham92 on Tue Jan 06 05:25PM

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  23. Do United even need to sell anyone?

    karen.j.cookFrom karen.j.cook on Tue Jan 06 05:32PM

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  24. tevez is not worth 32 millions...he is good and maybe better than berbatov but do we need to spend more than 32 million for tevez? let get back giuseppe rossi from villareal as we had a clause to buy him back and he can be our michael owen who can score consistently....

    amer_rosyeidFrom amer_rosyeid on Tue Jan 06 05:37PM

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  25. Is Rooney a great player. He is an unanimous player, no different from any other.

    talktoluxyonlineFrom talktoluxyonline on Tue Jan 06 05:38PM

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  26. keep everyone and we gonna be win another trophy this season :)))
    tomorrow derby...dont miss it :)))
    Glory...Glory Man United

    ameerline5353From ameerline5353 on Tue Jan 06 05:40PM

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  27. PLEASE ADVICE CHELSEA TO BUY DEFENDERS NOW AND STRIKERS BECAUSE DROGBA & KALOU WILL LEAVE 4 AFRICANS CUP OF NATIONS SOON

    joysokoyaFrom joysokoya on Tue Jan 06 05:43PM

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  28. Hi Paul, this is a nice article. Truly, Tevez has proven himself time and time again that he is a valuable player. However, he also has his shortcomings- selfishness which Rooney & Berbatov lack; the latter to a fault. It's 4 reasons like this that Berba's usually preferred (recall Stoke's match- it was when Berba came in that the opportunities came). Secondly, I don't think Berba's lazy (see his game against S'hampton etc)- I just think he plays (works) smart, which anytime is far better than playing (working) hard. In the end, I believe Man U will do the smartest thing- KEEP TEVEZ

    obongpFrom obongp on Tue Jan 06 05:44PM

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  29. 32 million is a ridiculous ammount of money, but we must do our best to keep him.

    pmd4agtFrom pmd4agt on Tue Jan 06 05:45PM

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  30. ̔뎴or

    ahorlerFrom ahorler on Tue Jan 06 05:57PM

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