Paul Parker Article

United cannot afford to lose Tevez

Thu May 14 11:49AM

Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, the question has to be asked: is he worth all the fuss?

Without a shadow of a doubt, he is.

But whether he is worth the reported £30 million wanted by his owners is another matter altogether.

Tevez proved his worth on the pitch once again with his performance off the bench in the win over Wigan.

Let's be honest, United were struggling after a lacklustre first half at the JJB. Dimitar Berbatov was not showing, Cristiano Ronaldo was not giving enough (except in terms of posturing) and Wayne Rooney looked isolated out wide.

And with no Ji-sung Park or Darren Fletcher in the middle of the pitch they were being overrun by a tigerish Wigan midfield consisting of Lee Catermole, Michael Brown and Paul Scharner.

Part of the problem was that Paul Scholes - unusually off-form - and Michael Carrick are too similar in style. Essentially, they do the same job. Allow one to play alongside the likes of Fletcher and it works a treat, but I don't believe they can play together.

But back to Tevez. As soon as the Argentinian entered the fray, the game was turned on its head. If he hadn't come on, United would be sweating slightly come the weekend's game against Arsenal. As it is, with just a point needed to secure the title, the game should prove to be a celebration.

What I love about Tevez is his work ethic. You can stick him on the pitch in a Carling Cup game away at Rochdale on a wet and miserable Wednesday night and he'll still give his all, just as he would if he were lining up against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

His energy and enthusiasm are second to none and I can assure you, defenders do not like playing against him. I certainly wouldn't enjoy him snapping at my heels for 90 minutes - or even half an hour.

The biggest compliment I can pay him is that I see him as an updated, quicker version of Mark Hughes, who was an absolute nightmare to play against.

Despite being South American, he has the same British mentality as Sparky did - he loves going shoulder-to-shoulder, he rarely goes down and he'll scrap for anything on any occasion.

Tevez comes on to change games, much in the same way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to. But that's where the comparisons between those two end - while, like Tevez, Ole posed a goal threat, the Argentine has an entirely different energy about him.

And he has every right to be knocking on the manger's door, asking why he isn't starting the big matches instead of, say, Berbatov.

Indeed, Berbatov himself provides a good argument for United fans who want to see Tevez stay.

The Bulgarian's arrival has set a precedent of sorts - after all, if £30m can be spent on him, then why not Tevez? That is the question the holders of the club's purse strings will have to ask themselves over the coming months.

Yet amid all the doubt, one thing is for sure - Tevez has far too much about him for United to lose him this summer. And if that means paying ridiculously over-the-odds to seal his signature, then perhaps United will have to.

If not, United's loss will certainly be another club's gain.

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fair assessment
From abhishek_reddy2001 on Thu May 14 12:11PM
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Spot on Paul. There is a concept in economics called sunk cost. Fact is united have already paid £10m and they will never get that back wheteher Tevez remains at OT or not. The decision is thus effectively based on £22m balance and the truth is that we can't a a player that is Tevez quality for lesser than £22m. Ribery, Benzema, Aguero, Messi, D. Villa.. we can't get anybody less than that amount.
Papers are talking about a £20m bid for Valencia (Wigan).. that money is better spent on Tevez.
Well SAF, knows what is right and I know he will do that .
From akula_a2002 on Thu May 14 12:26PM
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grow up you tardy illiterates
From smokiesteele on Thu May 14 12:30PM
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Good...
When united can blow 30million on Berbatov,
Why not spend some extra money on a quality player who is ENERGETIC, HARDWORKING, STRONG, FAN FAVORITE and COMMITTED?
If only Tevez is an Confirmed United Player, Then United will have 110 Million worth of STRIKERS in TEVEZ, Ronaldo, Rooney, and Berbatov...
THATS AWESOME!!!
From aumyuva on Thu May 14 12:31PM
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guess what?
its about united *gasp*
From v_sterel on Thu May 14 12:33PM
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Ex Man Utd player writes about Man Utd. Are you Parker haters that stupid that you don't understand this is what he is employed to do...?
Many ex players are pundits or columnists in newspapers etc. Why all the hatred towards Parker?
If you hate reading his articles so much, why don't you get back to doin your work instead of dishing out cheapshots in this blog!
BLOODY MUGS!
From steg_ward on Thu May 14 12:52PM
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Nice article Paul...seems dat some people jst love to hate you... but never mind dem, Be blind to those haters and keep doing wat u do best! One
From anth3001 on Thu May 14 12:57PM
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Assuming the squad stays as it is throuhg summer, Tevez or any other "big name" striker who joins Utd will have to console themselves to the fact that Rooney, Ronaldo, and Berbatov will be there, and they would be joining as a squad player who would be fulfilling a job role in a major organisation. A role for which they will be very well paid.
Anyone who tries to make themselves more valuable than the "team" will be sent packing. So I hope Ronaldo sorts his act out, and Tevez stops playing the silly bloody game with the fans, because if he really wants to stay, there is no way surer of getting the boot than trying to use fan pressure on Fergie. Ask Mr Beckham, or Mr Van Nistelrooy...
HE is the boss, and to anyone who thinks Utd, "need" Tevez look at Fergies record, Stamm, Beckham, Van Nistlerooy, Heinze... I could go on...
They still keep winning championships...
From mordekai_thurloe on Thu May 14 12:59PM
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I have said for a long time, if fergie is willing to pay 30 millon for berbatov, who by the way is the laziest player i have ever seen, then 30 for tevez should be a bargain.
From raimpz99 on Thu May 14 01:02PM
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Danny Murphy mentions Fulham or Liverpool every time, why does no-one complain there...? This is a good and relevant article, lay off the man!!
From jcverm on Thu May 14 01:03PM
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BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From ademola_teniola on Thu May 14 01:10PM
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Parkers Previous articles:
1. Ronaldo shouldn't take free kicks.
2. 1 - 0 United lead suits Arsenal.
Hmmmmmm.
Now United cannot afford to lose Tevez.
Poor.
Would have been a little more daring to write Can Utd afford to lose him?
From vince.patterson on Thu May 14 01:11PM
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good article completely agree, tevez is fantastic. But doesnt matter he will be playin upfront with torres next season
From lewisgriffiths on Thu May 14 01:11PM
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BERBATOV is F*****g S**T. he played his heart out with Spurs and yet at utd he walks about with his hands in his pockets. a cant remember the last time he scored a screamer unlike tevez. tevez is like fletcher covers every blade of grass on the pitch and deserves a contract from utd. dump berbatov waste pf muney.!!! anyone agree!!!
From jonathandinwoodie on Thu May 14 01:13PM
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Tevez will leave Utd fact. I work for the MSI group and spoke to Kia yesterday who confirmed old whiskey nose has mucked him about to for to long.
From mrbluffalot on Thu May 14 01:16PM
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Quite agree Parker but nobody seems to listen or care so why not talk to Sir Alex and the rest of them and get them to do something about keeping Tevez for sure. You seem to have the knack for talking.
From peterknight47 on Thu May 14 01:22PM
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I don't understand why people struggle with this concept so much. The fact they spent £30 million on Berbatov means that they have less money to spend now, not that they can easily spend another £30 million on Tevez. When did buying £30 million strikers every season become normal?
From andrewgillie on Thu May 14 01:22PM
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Typical english public making remarks against paul parker just because he is black. When he comments on united, u complain; When he comments on a different subject, u point this fact out and mock him. When he states what everyone else has stated, u make remarks about him stating the obvious - but you don't make the same remarks for other writers (usually white ones). When he writes something form his own opinions or his own experiences, u make remarks about how you disagree with him!
Racist or What!?
The sad thing is that there are people who purposely come to read his blog just to make these negative, racist comments even though they don't care or like what he writes. Haven't you got better things to do?
From shujaahmad2004 on Thu May 14 01:22PM
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Parker's giving his OPINION. If you don't agree fair enough. Just think far too many people come on here jumping on the bandwagon, giving Parker abuse.
Not any worse than the tadgers Alan Hansen, Lineker & Co!
From steg_ward on Thu May 14 01:26PM
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hi
I've been a UTD fan for so many years now I've not seen such composition of players. Teves has always given 100% effort in any game he featured. It's said that one does'nt value what he has until he loses it. Utd would be better off if teves is with them. believe me Teves outside UTD would be threat any time. Instead of looking for D.Villa, Riberys of this world, lets hold and sign on TEVES now please. I as a fan would be highly disappointed if after all these fuss, Teves signs for another club. I sincerely believe that Teves has Man U spirit and a good deal would keep him. sign him please afterall we have the money and are still winning titles.
Godwin
From goddilo on Thu May 14 01:28PM
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Yawn yawn,once again it is necc. to state the obvious in the interest of getting that cheque from yahoo...or eurosport or whoever actually thinks this junk article is worth paying for....or reading!
From stuartxland on Thu May 14 01:40PM
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I am not a big fan of Tevez, but his great performance on Sunday and Wednesday endeared him greatly to my heart. I agree, Man United cannot afford to lose Tevez especially when viewed against his overall contribution to the team.
From tremendouslaw on Thu May 14 01:44PM
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Im a united fan and think that Tevez more than deserves a contract.
What dignity he has shown during this difficult time for him to produce such remarkable performances, he knew with games running out he had to score goals to tempt the United bosses, and what a world class goal last night when he come off the bench.
United fans are chanting his name and asking for him to be signed, lets hope it does not fall on deaf arrogant financial ears.....or it will be Uniteds loss.
From j_shades77 on Thu May 14 01:53PM
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berbatov shud be sold and tevez shud be signed problem solved
From seb_egan on Thu May 14 01:54PM
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tevez is vital for united's future.. i believe that he is doing well in old trafford and have good record of scoring goals especially the winner goals.
transfer news:
in - carlos tevez, franck ribery, karim benzema, dodo,kaka
out - cristiano ronaldo
thumbs up????
From galvin_aven on Thu May 14 01:58PM
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I'm a Liverpool fans, what I hope is that Carlitos come to join The Reds on Anfield ASAP. But no matter what the problem is, in my perspective Carlitos still deserve stay at OT. Come on Firgie.....spend another 30 mio pound is worth for Carlitos!!!!!
From matauli07 on Thu May 14 01:59PM
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tevez is vital for united's future.. i believe that he is doing well in old trafford and have good record of scoring goals especially the winner goals.
transfer news:
in - carlos tevez, franck ribery, karim benzema, dodo,kaka
out - cristiano ronaldo
thumbs up????
From galvin_aven on Thu May 14 02:00PM
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oh well, pp writes it we read it...lol job done like it or not its as simple as that lol,
as for tevez, hes worth it, the commitment, the strength and for sure the work rate, get im bought and sell that bag puss berbatov
From mike1968uk on Thu May 14 02:00PM
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Why do Anti united idiots bother commenting on PP's web column everyday? Does it not seem a little pointless and juvenile to you lot? the man is entitled to his oponion and if he gets paid for it all the better, the fact is the more you read or post to it the more hits he gets and the more he gets paid...so on second thoughts keep it up you numbskulls!!!
From castlerocksk on Thu May 14 02:00PM
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nice article
you can not compare tevez and berbatov they both have diffirent playing styles it is like comparing rooney to ronaldo both have their good points and bad points.
tevez works his socks off all around the pitch chaseing and hasseling everybody who has the ball
while berbatov is the link he has a great technique and can split a defense as we saw last night in the early parts of the wigan man utd game.
to all the misreble people who come here just to abuse pp he isn't a journo this is only a blog so he gives his insight into his chosen topic and all you lot do is moan so why read it if it is so bad ?
From cellanjones28 on Thu May 14 02:05PM
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