Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Carlos Tevez was not worth the £25m his advisors wanted to turn his lease period into a permanent deal with Manchester United. The Argentinian joined cash-rich neighbours Manchester City last week, ending an acrimonious parting with his former Old Trafford manager, who the forward accused of not treating him with respect.

Ferguson did attempt to keep Tevez but only after trying to knock down a price that had previously been agreed with the player's long-time advisor Kia Joorabchian. And, while many United fans are still unhappy at the player's loss, in the brutal final analysis, the Scot just considered the price to be too high.

I was happy to go along with a deal as long as it was the right one - but he was simply not worth £25m. That's just my judgment.
Sir Alex Ferguson on why Manchester United did not sign Carlos Tevez on a permanent deal

"I didn't think he was worth £25m - that's just my judgment, maybe I am wrong," said Ferguson. "The fans quite rightly have their heroes and I respect them, so I was happy to go along with a deal as long as it was the right one - but he was simply not worth £25m."

Ferguson foresees City problems
Instead, Tevez has joined a massively expanded City squad that has now welcomed Emmanuel Adebayor into its fold, with the prospect of more to come. The Eastlands outfit have come under fire for their attempt to sign Chelsea captain John Terry, although, in the same position, Ferguson might well have done the same.

"If I was in City's shoes, with all that kind of money, then I would have a go at that," he said. "I think it's sensible. He has experience and is the England captain. For some reason they must have known that he was interested. I am sure there have been plenty of phone calls going on."

Whether City eventually sign Terry or not, Ferguson is as intrigued as everyone else in football to see how the Abu Dhabi-bankrolled project works out. "It won't be easy for them to win anything, even with all the players they have bought," said Ferguson.

"They have bought a lot of high profile players but they have ten strikers. That is a hell of a lot. I have not spoken to all the managers but the one or two I have are saying, 'Who are they going to leave out?'.

"How do you tell players they are not even going to be travelling to London? How does he pick a team? We are all interested."