Utd sub Neville could be in trouble after Tevez scored the winner

The ex-United icon, who earlier had been labelled as being “over-priced” by United club captain Neville, made the journeyman defender eat his words as he scored from the spot before heading home the winner.

United took the lead with a Ryan Giggs strike, before Craig Bellamy was felled in the box. Argentinian Tevez hammered the ball down the centre of the goal to pull level.

Tevez again headed home to seal the victory for the Eastlands club, before running to the dugout area cupping his ear – reminiscent of his celebration against City in his last derby as a red.

Former team mate, Gary Neville, was warming-up at the side of the pitch when Tevez scored and the FA will be keen to see video footage that showed the substitute gesturing with his middle finger.

United were the better side by far for most of the game, and City had to hold out for the last 25 minutes to seal the win and a potential Wembley Cup Final.

Trying to play down the incident after the game, United manager said: “It is just the way these things happen. Football can be like that. It can bite you. We have had a few players leave the club and score against us. There is no issue. I am happy with the players we have got.”

The embarrassing defeat comes alongside further financial heartache for the Salford Reds, as latest accounts reveal swollen debts of £716.5million.

The company “Red Football Joint Venture Ltd”, which is owned by the American Glazer family, filed accounts for the year ending June 30 2009 which increased by £17m from £699m.

Old Trafford is the venue for the return leg of the Carling Cup Semi-final, next Wednesday in what will no doubt be a nail-biting encounter for both sets of supporters.

Ryan Giggs

Sir Alex Ferguson has been paid an emotional tribute by newly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ryan Giggs. Giggs also believes that he will leave United before his mentor and friend. The 36 year old footballer has described his transition into a trusted confidante of the manager that once scared him. He described their current relationship as better than at any time in his career.

Giggs made his United debut in 1991, and at 36 falls now into the age group that are only offered single year extensions by Ferguson based on fitness and performance levels, neither of which are an issue for the Welshman. It is expected that he will agree his extension to contract shortly. This will keep him with United until the end of the 2010/11 season. He has previously stated a desire to end his playing career at the club. When he finally decides to hang up his boots he firmly believes that Sir Alex, 68 later this month, will still be occupying the managers office at Old Trafford.

When asked about possible retirements he confirmed that he would probably be first to go. “The manager is as good as ever and will go on for a long time. I can still see him as manager of United in five years’ time, easily, because as long as he is healthy he will have the desire to carry on. He has a great team around him, he has his passions away from the game and can get away with his horse racing. When he comes back to football he is refreshed, and I know he still has that desire.”

When the shortlist for he prestigious BBC award as announced Giggs was available at odds of 66-1 at first, though the odds did shorten. His success in Sunday’s public vote came as no surprise to many in football who recognise the achievements of a talent who, without doubt, has been one of the most talented players of his generation and has survived for nearly two decades as a mainstay of the United team. At club level he has won every award and trophy that there is and as one of the most respected players in the game he deserves them all.