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SIR Alex Ferguson has revealed he snubbed the opportunity to sign Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano because of uncertainty over the deal that was being offered.
West Ham were fined a record £5.5million for breaking Premier League rules when they signed the Argentina duo who, at the time, were part-owned by Media Sports Investment, the company formerly run by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian.
Mascherano has since joined Liverpool but Tevez has emerged as a key figure in the Hammers' battle for survival and will be part of Alan Curbishley's side at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look for the point which will preserve their top-flight status.
Ferguson confirmed that, like most leading clubs, United were given the opportunity to buy the pair last summer. But the wily Scot was not happy at what was being offered.
"Tevez was offered to everyone," said Ferguson.
"We were offered both him and Mascherano but, if I remember it correctly, we weren't sure of the deal."
It has taken the arrival of Ferguson's old friend Alan Curbishley to really get the best out of Tevez.
And, after inspiring the Hammers to a run of six wins in eight games, the United manager knows his team will have to be on their toes if their title-winning celebrations are not to fall a bit flat.
"Tevez is the one who has lifted their game a bit," said Ferguson. |
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