In the build up to one of the most anticipated Manchester derbies in recent years Manchester City’s star man Carlos Tevez has questioned his manager’s training regime and claims his team-mates agree with him.
The Argentine striker had a gagging order imposed on him ahead of the derby by the Citizens in order to prevent another feud between himself and his former club. Back in January Tevez blasted his former club and their captain Gary Neville by calling him a ‘boot-licker’ and a ‘moron’ in a war of words between the pair during the Carling Cup clash between the two Manchester sides. Despite being gagged by City the 26-year-old striker has once again thrust himself in the limelight ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby. This time the outspoken Argentinian seems to be unimpressed with how things are going at his own club and he has openly criticised Roberto Mancini’s training methods.
Tevez believes that the current training schedule is too strenuous at the end of such a long league campaign and could be detrimental ahead of a crucial home game against their most bitter of rivals. Speaking to the Daily Mail Tevez has revealed that his team mates agree with him in the issue. He said: “The players are not happy with this. We are at the end of a long season, we have big matches, we are tired but there are still double training sessions, morning and afternoon. Then, the next day, we train for two hours. I do not understand. Please, he is the coach and I am the player. He is in charge. I am OK with him.”
Tevez’s comments come after his former team-mate Rio Ferdinand took a little swipe at the Argentine when he claimed that Tevez held back in training to conserve his energy for the match days during his time at the Old Trafford club. The comments will add to the cauldron of fire between the two sides, which is set to boil over this Saturday lunchtime when the pair fight for the city’s bragging rights on the Eastlands turf. City will have revenge on their mind after falling victim to a controversial ‘Fergie time’ goal at Old Trafford and an exit in the Carling Cup semi-finals against their more illustrious neighbours. Whilst helping their own cause, you can bet Tevez and co would love to effectively end Manchester United’s hopes of winning a record breaking 19th league title after the Red Devils have handed the initiative to current leaders Chelsea.
The former Manchester United striker is United’s biggest threat in the derby game and has been in tremendous form this season scoring 21 Premier League goals. His goals have helped put City in the driving seat for the much coveted fourth spot in the Premier League, which will earn them the right to compete in the tournament they desire to be in most, the UEFA Champions League.
