Tevez Happy With Four-Goal Haul

Carlos Tevez staked a strong claim for a first-team spot as he put four past Blackburn Rovers to send Manchester United through the Carling Cup semi-finals.

"I’m very pleased to have scored four goals because it’s the first time I have done that in my career," he said in The Sun. 

It was the second time in as many games that Tevez kept United's cup hopes alive, as he netted from the spot in their 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the previous round.

And yet that is just about all the Argentine forward has had to do this season, as he has found opportunities curiously limited despite his standing as one of the most exciting players in world football.

Dimitar Berbatov's summer switch to Old Trafford has played its part, and it has been reported that Tevez could leave the Red Devils at the end of the season - or even sooner, although Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished that idea.

Nonetheless, the former West Ham man's situation is precarious, and he was delighted to stretch his legs and help United put on a top-drawer display yesterday evening.

"I was really looking forward to this game because I haven’t been playing much," the 24-year-old said. 

"But our performance showed we can play Champions League standard football in any cup competition."

Real Madrid and Inter Milan are among a slew of elite clubs who have been linked with Tevez recently.

--Kieran Quentin, Goal.com