Tevez to start as transfer saga rumbles on

CARLOS TEVEZ is expected to start as Manchester United head to Derby County tonight for the first leg of a semi-final that means every January midweek is filled with competitive action.

But Tevez future has been put in further doubt after his agent refused to confirm whether he would be at the club next season. Tevez, 24, this week vehemently denied claims he had rejected a contract offer from the Premier League champions, insisting he has had no discussions about making permanent the loan deal which expires in the summer.

Speculation the Argentina international will leave at the end of the season has been rife, with Real Madrid understood to be closely monitoring the situation. Kia Joorabchian last night defended his client’s comments, saying the forward has not created any problems at the club or with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but was vague when asked if Tevez would be at Old Trafford past the end of this campaign.