David Gill, former CEO of Manchester United, sheds light on the pivotal factors that led to Carlos Tevez's departure to Manchester City, revealing a tale of missed opportunities and financial allure.

Tevez's tenure at Old Trafford initially flourished, with his dynamic presence endearing him to fans, teammates, and Sir Alex Ferguson. United sought to secure his permanent transfer when his loan deal expired in 2009, but Tevez opted for a controversial move across town to City.

Gill outlines two key reasons for this unexpected shift: a lack of assured playing time and financial incentives offered by City's owners, who controlled Tevez's rights.

Despite United's interest in retaining Tevez, his role in the team became less prominent with the arrival of players like Dimitar Berbatov. Gill emphasizes that United was willing to meet the required £25.5 million fee for his permanent transfer, but the decision ultimately rested with Tevez and those overseeing his contractual rights.

The financial aspect played a significant role, with City's owners seeing a lucrative opportunity in transferring Tevez, effectively doubling their investment. Gill acknowledges that had Tevez insisted on staying at United, the club would have secured his services, underscoring their willingness to pay the necessary fee.

Tevez's move to City marked a pivotal moment in Manchester football history, signaling the ambitious intentions of City's new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. While the signing of Robinho had hinted at City's ambitions, Tevez's transfer was a resounding statement, not only acquiring a world-class striker but also snatching him from United's grasp.

This move symbolized City's emergence as genuine competitors to United's dominance, setting the stage for future successes. The subsequent years saw City's rise to prominence, culminating in Champions League qualification and their first trophy under the new ownership, the FA Cup in 2011.

Tevez's transfer laid the groundwork for City's subsequent signings of top talents like David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland. His departure marked a turning point in Manchester football, shaping City's trajectory as a force to be reckoned with and challenging United's supremacy.