Sir Alex Ferguson bucked his customary trend of keeping transfer issues in-house on Wednesday when he was moved to insist Manchester United will do everything in their power to keep hold of Carlos Tevez.
The Old Trafford boss has when pressed played a straight bat on the future of the Argentina international but came out fighting in the face of more fans' cries to "sign him up" in the aftermatch of Tevez's equaliser at the JJB Stadium which set the Premier League leaders on their way to a stirring 2-1 comeback win against Wigan.
The sticking point is the £22m that would be needed to turn Tevez's existing two-year loan into a permanent agreement – a fee Old Trafford officials are reluctant to match.
The impasse comes amid claims and counter-claims from both sides of the fence and at a time when United need just one more point to secure a third successive and record-equalling 18th domestic title.
Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, has fanned the flames by insisting his client has not received a formal offer and that he is he now willing to talk to a growing list of potential suitors, including fierecest rivals Liverpool, neighbours Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Ferguson fought tooth and nail to deny former defender Gabriel Heinze a transfer down the East Lancs Road in 2007, but even his powers of persuasion could be tested this time around because Tevez is not contracted to a club but by companies that own his economic rights.
Ferguson has described as "far-fetched" reports that United want the 25-year-old to break his contract with Joorabchian, although his assertion on Wednesday that the fans "love a trier" was hardly gushing praise.
"There was a meeting with (chief executive) David Gill on Wednesday, that is a clear fact," he added.
"They discussed the avenue under which Carlos could stay with Manchester United. End of story.
"I realise you (the media) speak to his agent but I do not wish to discuss the matter any further."
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