Get The Lad His Pacifier and Binky

Puneet Singh

The success of Manchester United over all of Europe for the past two years can be pointed to through many different aspects of the team; our great depth of the bench and reserves, Sir Alex Ferguson's unparalleled coaching tactics and mind games, Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goal tally last year....the list is endless. One of the unsung heroes on our squad who gets lost in all the fame and praise of the other stars at United is none other than "El Apache" Carlos Tevez.

Since arriving at United on a two year loan in the summer of 2007, Tevez has earned a reputation as a bulldog and a grinder. This is evident in his style of play and his never quit attitude on the pitch. Through the 98 games over the last two years that Tevez has featured in, he has netted 34 goals and in the process formed a dynamic partnership with Wayne Rooney, known to the Manchester faithful as RooVez.

He has been unsettled though this year, starting less games because of the signing of Dimitar Berbatov, an in the box monster and front line carrier that Manchester have been lacking since selling Ruud Van Nistelrooy off to Real Madrid prior to the 2006-2007 campaign.

It seems like by not starting consistently at Manchester and United having not secured his long term future from the 3rd party group of MSI by now, that Tevez is now irate and frustrated, thus prompting rumors of his departure. But Tevez has to remember that Manchester United are an elite club, if not THE ELITE CLUB in all of the footballing world. There will be all world talent here and players will want to come and play for Fergie and the Red Devils. Look at the likes of John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-Sung and Johnny Evans, all role players for United, but could easily be starting for 12 to 13 of the other Premier League teams today. The key is that each of these players is a vital and integral part to our organization and have a certain role, and as long as they do their job, they will continue to have that role. Tevez needs to realize that he too is highly regarded not only by the organization, but the fans that sing and chant his name. He will always have his place at United should he choose to stay here.

If Tevez believes that his situation is unfair and he does not get enough playing time, try explaining it to these players from these teams. In 2005 Real Madrid has Fernando Morientes, Raul, Ronaldo, Robinho and Michael Owen all as their forwards, and all were all world talents at the time. Playing time was beyond scarce for Owen and Morientes whom both would eventually leave after the season while Robinho was in the process of being converted from a CF to a Winger. In 2000 Inter Milan had the dilemma of deciding who to start out of a group that included Hernan Crespo, Christian Vieri, Alvaro Recoba, Robbie Keane and Ronaldo again.

So where oh where could Carlos be headed? The man himself has said he would love to stay in England and in his own words "Any club I join, whether it be Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool or Everton, will be a rival of Manchester United." This all but shows that his mental state has already left United. Outside of England, Tevez is heavily being pursued by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

Should Tevez sign with another club it would not be the end of the world for United, but the end of the world for him. There is no bigger of a winning culture in all of Europe than Manchester United over the past three years. Walking away from that to go to a team such as say Liverpool or Real Madrid which has not won much over the past three to four years, would seem questionable. Although he will be getting a great amount of playing time, he will be going to two areas where the culture is completely different. Liverpool is always in a state of panic and breakdown so long as Rafa Benitez is the skipper there, and at Madrid there is no continuity with their coaching carousel. Manchester City can afford to pay him beyond his wildest dreams and start him all the time, but the case comes up that they are at the bottom of the barrel and as far away from winning the Premier League as anyone. In addition to that, they are still a year or two away from Champions League play.

Tevez should know this, although the grass may seem greener outside of Manchester, there is no one out there who can offer him more as a whole than we can. Playing time and a heftier paycheck may be nice, but at the cost of being a legend and a winner, is it really worth it? Carlos should realize, he's not irreplaceable as he thinks in his own mind. If United can replace icons such as Roy Keane, David Beckham and Eric Cantona of recent times, he should feel honored to be wearing the same shirt as that elite company. Playing for United is a privilege one that he should look forward to continuing for years coming. We embrace you Carlos, its time you show us love back.