Carlos Tevez has admitted that he is likely to leave Old Trafford for a Spanish club at the end of the season after seeing his gut-busting efforts fail to cement him a regular place in the Manchester United attack.
The 25-year-old striker has made only 16 starts for United this season and scored just three goals. He believes his poor return is down to his staccato run in the team having often been overlooked for Dimitar Berbatov, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
"I've spent a lot of time on the bench and I'd like to play more. But every time I'm given a chance I do all I can to take full advantage," he told Madrid radio station Cadena COPE. "It's true, I see myself more leaving United, than staying here. I don't see why I should lie to people or anything because the fans support me a lot as you can see. So I don't have any reason to lie to them. I need continuity in the team to offer my best. If this doesn't happen I believe this will be my last year."
Tevez received a standing ovation from the Manchester United supporters as he was substituted in the 66th minute against Arsenal. The fans have been vocal in their appreciation of the Argentinian's indefatigable approach to every match since he joined the club in a convoluted £10m loan deal in 2007.
Those supporters need no convincing as to Tevez's commitment but he was quick to make clear that any desire he has to leave Old Trafford is born of a frustration at being left on the bench rather than any lack of desire. "While I wear the United shirt I will leave my life on the pitch. You can see that in every game I play. I respect people a lot and I am grateful to them," he said. "My future? I would like to go to Spain, yes, but I don't know yet. I have no preference for a team. We'll see."
His decision to air his frustration on a Madrid radio station may hint at the striker's preferred destination, but with Liverpool rumoured to be interested in Tevez, who is still owned by a third party not Manchester United, the Spanish flavour at Anfield may prove a tempting alternative.
