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Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that Manchester City team-mate Carlos Tevez is eager to torment United in the Carling Cup semi-finals in more ways than one.

Tevez left United in the summer for their derby rivals, immediately making him a fans' favourite at Eastlands.

The Argentina striker has reproduced the energetic performances which made him a big hit at Old Trafford, and he has enhanced his popularity amongst blues with eight goals in his last eight games.

In recent weeks, the 25-year-old has marked each goal with a cheeky dance in reference to card games with his family back in his homeland.

And the ex-red would relish scoring against his former club in Wednesday's first leg at Eastlands and then rubbing salt into their wounds with his new celebration.

"He makes people happy," said Zabaleta of his countryman. "When we lose the ball he always tries to win it back. He never stops.

"I want to enjoy my time with him here. And I love it when he scores. That dance is so funny.
Card trick

"At home, when we play cards the losing team has to do something. His brother lost and did a dance, that's why Carlos does it.

"He would love to do the dance again against United. I wish for a lot of dancing."

Despite turning his back on the adulation of the United fans to join the big-spending Blues, Zabaleta insists Tevez is committed to helping City establish themselves as a genuine title contender and feels he demonstrated that in the first league derby of the season in September.

Tevez was a major doubt but started at Old Trafford and played his part in a pulsating game which United edged 4-3.

"He wasn't fit but nothing would stop him playing," said Zabaleta. "It was a special game for him. He loves City and the fans love him.

"Last Christmas, he gave me a pair of tickets for the United-Chelsea game for me and my father. He was on the bench and when he came on the crowd chanted, 'Argentina, Argentina'. Now the City fans give him the same love.

Belief

"He was upset to leave United but it has been good for him because he believes in City and the project here.

"That was key for him. He was happy to leave United behind because he believed in this club."

Zabaleta had been on the fringes of the City side earlier in the season but the 24-year-old full-back has started each of Roberto Mancini's first three games in charge.

Having conceded nine goals in their previous three games, City have kept three straight clean sheets and Zabaleta feels the new boss has built a more organised unit than the one that conceded four at Old Trafford.

"We needed to work on the defence," he said. "Mark Hughes was a fantastic boss but sometimes results say it all.

"Everyone thanked him but that's in the past. Everyone believes in Mancini."