Source: Telegraph
Carlos Tevez hints at Manchester United exit at the end of the season
Manchester United v Tottenham HotspurKick-off: Sat Apr 25, 5.30pm, OldTrafford, ManchesterRadio: Setanta Sports 1Radio: BBC Radio Five Live [LNB]Despite an insistence by United chief executive David Gill last summer that a permanent contract for the Argentina forward, to replace his two-year loan agreement, would be thrashed out following the closure of last August's transfer window, negotiations have stalled between the club and Tevez's representatives.[LNB] Related ArticlesUnited increase ticket pricesVidic: United back as teamWin tickets to Man Utd v SpursManchester United stand to lose Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real MadridManchester United fans criticism of lethargic Dimitar Berbatov wide of the markSir Alex Ferguson backs unpopular Dimitar BerbatovUnited are faced with a transfer fee of more than £20 million to make Tevez their own player at the end of the season, but the 25-year-old has struggled to earn a regular starting spot following the £30.75 million purchase of Dimitar Berbatov earlier this season. It now appears unlikely that the European champions will sanction such a large outlay on a player no longer regarded as a first choice by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]Tevez, who started last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Everton, has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season. He remains a firm favourite with supporters, but says that he is now likely to move elsewhere at the end of the season.[LNB]Speaking to an Argentine radio station, Tevez said: 'I have many offers, not only from Spain, so I need to see which club I can go to and what can be done.[LNB]'We must not only consider the money because I also have to ensure my family feel comfortable, especially my daughter. I have trained every day and never said anything against my team-mates or anyone, but it is true that there are other options for next season. There are many players and they all need to play, but I have not played in important matches. The classico against Chelsea, I did not play. Those are the games that I like to play in.'[LNB]Meanwhile, United have been criticised by their own supporters over plans to raise ticket prices by £1 a game at Old Trafford next season.[LNB]Sean Bones, vice-chairman of Manchester United supporters' trust, said: 'It's extremely disappointing, at a time when United supporters are struggling to come to terms with the economic situation, and other football clubs are responding by freezing and even reducing prices, that the [club owners] Glazers have again decided to hike prices above the rate of inflation.[LNB]'It has been said in the past that the owners of the club will squeeze United supporters until the pips squeak, and this is clearly the case.'[LNB]Although a number of Premier League rivals, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, have announced freezes or cuts in ticket prices next term, United, whose debts were revealed this month to be approaching £700 million, are bucking the trend by raising prices.[LNB]With sell-out crowds at virtually every Premier League game this season, however, United insist that their price increases are merely case of reflecting the huge demand for tickets at Old Trafford.[LNB]A United spokesman said: 'We are still, on average, turning away nearly 5,000 people per game, and more for bigger games like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, so we believe it represents good value for money.'[LNB]The cost of a ticket at Old Trafford will now be a top-price £49. The cheapest ticket will be £27.[LNB]The Office of Fair Trading have refused to ask United to scrap their automatic cup scheme, meaning fans who do decide to purchase a season ticket – which will be reduced in number – are again committed to purchasing tickets for all cup games, apart from the Carling Cup.[LNB]
