Carlos Tevez has claimed that he joined Manchester City in 2009 because an offer from Manchester United never materialised.

The Argentine striker signed for the Citizens following a two-year loan stint at Old Trafford, during which he won two Premier League titles, one League Cup and the Champions League.

He was a popular figure among the United faithful, who were often heard chanting 'Fergie, sign him up' during matches.

However, the now Boca Juniors frontman eventually agreed a five-year contract with cross-city rivals City, despite Ferguson having since alleged that a proposal was on the table for Tevez to remain a Red Devil.

The 32-year-old, though, has insisted that United made no attempt to secure his services for the long term.

"With Ferguson nothing bad happened. It was a normal relationship," Marca quotes Tevez as saying.

"I went to United for two years on loan, and in the final year Ferguson told me that they were going to buy me permanently.

"We got to the Champions League final in Rome and I didn't have any contract on the table, even though they'd spent the whole year telling me that. So I went to City and they complained about it but I never had the option of signing for United so I was free."

Tevez scored 34 goals in a United shirt and further 73 during his four years with City.