Argentine Tevez to don Man U shirt for warm-up

LONDON: Argentine striker Carlos Tevez will make his Manchester United debut on Wednesday and could feature against Reading in the Premier League next weekend, manager Alex Ferguson said on Sunday.

Ferguson expressed excitement at the arrival of Tevez, who is set to complete a move to Old Trafford from West Ham United this week following a prolonged transfer saga which centred on who owned the striker.

On Friday West Ham reached a two million pound ($4.07 million) settlement with Tevez's representatives, paving the way for the player to join the Premier League champions.

"I think the boy's got something exceptional in him," the United manager said. "We experienced it in the last game against him at Old Trafford when he was a real handful to us."

United send squads to face both Northern Ireland's Glentoran and Scottish side Dunfermline on Wednesday, with Tevez set to appear four days before United open their league title defence against Reading.

"He's playing on Wednesday. I don't know where - either Belfast or Dunfermline, that'll be his first game.

"It would be nice to think I could have him for the Reading game, if not I'm sure the following week."

Ferguson was quick to point out that the menacing attacking qualities Tevez shares with England striker Wayne Rooney will not stop the pair lining up together this season.

"Both are of a similar physique, both are two-footed, both are quickish, both can beat a man - I don't think it's a bad thing to have these similarities."

That enthusiasm was shared by Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, who scored United's goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw in regulation time before United defeated Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield.

"Everyone's been very eager for him to come in," said England defender Ferdinand. "But this is a very easy squad to integrate into because we've got a very open mentality and attitude ... We want to do the same thing which is win."

Noting the arrival of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, Ferdinand added, "the new players are good and now with Tevez, these four players are great and it's good for the team."

Giggs was more cautionary.

"He brings an extra dimension," he said. We've got plenty of attacking options but we don't want to get carried away."

Agencies

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page23)