Carlos Tevez is not concerned about the prospect of being jeered on Saturday when he returns to Old Trafford wearing the colours of Manchester City.
Once a favourite at Manchester United, he is now an inspirational figure in manager Roberto Mancini's ambitious side. A first-half hat-trick against West Brom on Saturday took his tally for the season to 20 goals.
It sets the Argentina striker up nicely for the derby, especially as the gap between the two sides is down to five points with the leaders losing to Wolves. He told ZOO magazine he was not worried about getting plenty of stick at the ground he used to grace.
He said: "I don't care about people booing me at Old Trafford. It doesn't worry me and I'm not worried about going there. The booing happened a lot last year, but I understand. As a supporter, you defend your club and I am on the opposing team now.
"Manchester United fans can never say I didn't give my all during the time I was there. Maybe many supporters still don't understand the reason I left. I am a professional footballer and being booed when I am on the field is a price I have to pay sometimes. But it won't affect me at all. Derby games are always beautiful. I enjoyed them in Argentina and Brazil but, in England, they are extra-special.
"Playing against Manchester United is a big incentive but it's not just because of personal issues for me. It's about the importance of three points. We want to go to Old Trafford and win."
Carlos Tevez: David Silva is Manchester City's best-ever signing
Carlos Tevez has emphasised his commitment to Manchester City and credited David Silva for making a difference to his game.
The Argentina striker heads into the derby with his former club Manchester United on Saturday aiming to improve on his 20-goal tally for the season.
Tevez scored a first-half hat-trick in the 3-0 victory against West Brom at the weekend. His second came after he was set up by Silva, who arrived last summer from Valencia.
The skipper said: ‘David Silva is the best signing we have made. He is the type of player who can win you the game. He has freshened up the team and brought a new dimension to it.’
And the striker claims he is now content after an unsettled spell before Christmas when he handed in a transfer request, which was later withdrawn.
‘I never wanted to do any harm to the club. I don’t think there is anyone who loves the shirt more than me,’ Tevez added. ‘People might want to have a pop at me but I’m completely at ease here.
Manchester City star Joe Hart models Peter Saville's new England fashion range
First to try the new look, modelling a bright pink hoodie from the range at a glitzy launch bash at Harvey Nichols, was City and England goalie Joe Hart.
Design guru Peter Saville is aiming to encourage England football fans to embrace a colourful new fashion range based on his “Modern England” concept for the national strip.
And first to try the new look, modelling a bright pink hoodie from the range at a glitzy launch bash at Harvey Nichols, was City and England goalie Joe Hart.
Peter, Manchester’s creative director, was commissioned by sportswear giant Umbro last year to create a new take on the England shirt – coming up with a pattern of tiny coloured St George’s crosses to represent the diversity of modern day England. The idea has now been expanded into the new, boldly-coloured sportswear range.
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Peter says: “It’s really exciting to see more product from the idea, and it is a big idea.
“So I’m pleased to see it have a further reach now.
“The Modern England idea was to have the St George cross in many different colours to represent a broader understanding of England and Englishness.”
Saville, famed for his iconic album covers for Factory Records, says: “I never thought I’d do a sports kit, let alone a national one. To do the England football kit is an quite an extraordinary invitation – to be able to put a socio-cultural idea that then goes out to so many people was very energising and exciting, that the shirt could be this new way to understand the flag of England.
“It's a piece of work for a society and not just a niche market which I really liked.”
The range is now on sale at Harvey Nichols, priced from £40 for a shirt to £115 for a jacket like Joe’s.
Kolo Toure issues warning to Manchester United ahead of derby
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has warned title rivals Manchester United that their defeat to Wolves could signal the start of a dip in form.
United were beaten 2-1 at Molineux on Saturday, a result that ended their hopes of going through the entire Barclays Premier League season unbeaten.
Toure, whose City side go to Old Trafford this weekend, was part of the Arsenal side that went through the 2003/04 campaign without tasting defeat.
And he believes that United now face a stern examination of their credentials after recalling how Arsenal struggled when their run eventually ended with a defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
He said: "When you're on a good run like that and you lose, everything becomes harder. It shakes your confidence. Maybe that can happen to them. It was difficult to lose that game.
"The circumstances were hard because they got a penalty, which we didn't think was a penalty. For us, it was really difficult to lose to United. I think it's a great chance for me to get my revenge.
"I have spent most of my career in England battling United, first at Arsenal, now at City. They are always at the top. Now we have new players, we are capable of fighting against them and that has been shown with our results against them over the last 18 months."
WAG OF THE DAY - Yesica Toscanini
OTHER BOLLOX
After signing Liverpool striker Fernando Torrres for £50m, Chelsea have turned their sights to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. Owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to sanction another £50m move to bring in the midfielder. the Sun
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has refused to rule out a move to Manchester United once Edwin van der Sar hangs up his gloves at the end of the season. the Sun
Fulham are lining up a deal to sign Swedish full-back Behrang Safari on a free transfer after the 25-year-old decided to quit FC Basle at the end of the season. talkSPORT
Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese has described some of the approaches made by Premier League clubs for winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during January as "unprofessional". Daily Telegraph
Wigan are favourites to sign Coventry City's Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood on a Bosman free transfer in the summer but face competition from Everton and Celtic. Daily Mail
Liverpool will this summer look to follow up their purchase of Luis Suarez from Ajax by attempting to lure his former team-mate Christian Eriksen to Anfield. The Danish playmaker has been likened to a young Dennis Bergkamp. caughtoffside.com
Arsenal are lining up a club record summer bid for £25m-rated Sevilla winger Jesus Navas. talkSPORT
Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris has opened the door for a move to Manchester United during the summer by admitting he may quit the French club.talkSPORT
Chelsea are lining up former caretaker manager Guus Hiddink as a replacement for sporting director Frank Arnesen. Arnesen's contract expires at the end of the season. Daily Mail
Liverpool owner John W Henry has hinted that Kenny Dalglish will be given the managerial position on a permanent basis. "I haven't come across any sportsman in any sport anywhere in the world who is more beloved by the fans than Kenny," said Henry. Daily Mirror
Former England boss Steve McClaren is not interested in the vacant position at West Brom after being sacked by German side Wolfsburg. the Guardian
The chances of caretaker boss Michael Appleton becoming West Brom manager on a full-time basis are growing. Alternatively he may revert back to his role as first team coach as the Baggies bring in St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes. the Independent
Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson remains the West Brom board's preferred replacement for Roberto Di Matteo.Daily Telegraph
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is set to sign a contract extension with the club, despite misgivings over the sale of striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool. (Daily Telegraph)
Former Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell believes ex-Blades defender Kyle Walker - who has just received his first call-up to the England squad for Wednesday's friendly with Denmark - can be better than right-back rival Glen Johnson, who plays for Liverpool. Walker is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Tottenham. talkSPORT
Midfielder Charlie Adam insists that ambition and not money will be the driving force when he eventually leaves Blackpool. The Scotland midfielder is expected to be sold in the summer after handing in a transfer request in January. Blackpool turned down offers from Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the transfer window.Daily Mail
West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is hoping to make his long-awaited comeback for the reserves when they face West Brom on Wednesday night. The German has not played for the Hammers since joining from Lazio in the summer because of thigh injury. Daily Mail
Liverpool are considering adding Blackburn goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms to Kenny Dalglish's backroom staff. (Daily Telegraph)
Scotland assistant boss Peter Houston says that Rangers forward Steven Naismith is not a cheat, despite the Rangers attacker picking up a second booking for diving in Sunday's Old Firm clash. (Daily Record)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may have been largely frustrated during the January transfer window but he is poised to unveil one of his own personal big signings at Newbury on Saturday when his newly acquired £100,000 horse Bygones In Brid races. talkSPORT
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole admits he was surprised to be voted England's best player of 2010 in a poll on the Football Association's website. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has said that one of the biggest things he misses as a footballer is the freedom to go on a skiing holiday. Daily Mail
more bollox soon ....
