Manchester United fans yesterday extracted revenge for their city rivals' taunts over Carlos Tevez's move two years ago with a giant digital billboard image poking fun at the Argentina striker's latest saga.
The image being shown in the Manchester city centre last night read: “Welcome to Carlos, Manchester” – mocking the giant blue poster erected by City when Tevez moved from United to City in 2009 which showed a picture of the striker over the words, “Welcome to Manchester”.
The latest Tevez taunt was the work of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, who described it as “a warm-hearted message from some old friends”.
Tevez has been suspended by his club pending an investigation into his apparent refusal to come off the bench during City’s 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
City yesterday made questions about Tevez off-limits to reporters at the weekly press conference by Roberto Mancini.
Before the City manager appeared, the communications officer Victoria Kloss read out a statement that the media session would be called off if Mancini were asked about Tevez.
Kloss said: “Questions in relation to Carlos Tevez in general, in relation to his alleged conduct on Tuesday evening and the potential ramifications of that conduct and in relation to his future at the football club is strictly off limits and will not be answered.
“Breaches of this will result in the press conference being suspended. This decision has been made to protect the interests of all parties and safeguard the integrity of the investigation that is currently taking place.”
Mancini was given backing for his handling of the incident by rival boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who praised him for his “strong management”.
