Wayne Rooney has revealed that Carlos Tevez's departure from Manchester United to Manchester City in 2009 left him "gutted" and marked a pivotal moment in the balance of power between the two clubs, just days after the duo were reunited at Soccer Aid.
The United legend believes the Argentine forward's £25.5million transfer helped establish City as a genuine force in English football.
Speaking to the BBC, Rooney admitted he was "devastated" when Tevez chose to join their cross-city rivals after two successful seasons on loan at Old Trafford.
The move came just weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million departure to Real Madrid, leaving Rooney without two key attacking partners.
Wayne Rooney won his only Champions League with Carlos Tevez
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"I was gutted to be honest, I'm pretty sure Carlos wanted to stay at Manchester United," Rooney said.
"Man City at the time were trying to build and become competitive and I knew that he'd be a massive part of that because obviously the ability he has.
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Carlos Tevez opted to join arch rivals Manchester City after his two-year loan spell at Manchester United
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"I think we've seen when he went there, he had some great times there as well.
"I was devastated, I would've really like him to stay longer and continue to play with him."
Tevez had rejected a permanent move to Manchester United, where he had spent the previous two seasons on loan.
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During that period, he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Rooney and Ronaldo, helping United secure the Premier League title and Champions League triumph in 2007-08, followed by another league title and League Cup success the following season.
The Argentine's transfer to Manchester City was confirmed in July 2009, just a fortnight after Ronaldo's high-profile switch to Real Madrid.
Manchester City amplified tensions by unveiling a provocative "Welcome to Manchester" banner following Tevez's arrival.
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Manchester City unveiled a provocative banner when Carlos Tevez joined the club
PA
Sir Alex Ferguson responded dismissively to the gesture, branding City a "small club".
Ferguson said: "It's City isn't it? They're a small club with a small mentality. All they can talk about is Manchester United; they can't get away from it.
"They think taking Carlos Tevez away from Manchester United is a triumph. It is poor stuff."
Tevez's impact proved Ferguson wrong, playing a crucial role in City's first Premier League title in 2011-12, dramatically won on goal difference ahead of United.
While United claimed one more title in 2012-13, it remains their last, as City have since secured seven more league triumphs.
Rooney and Tevez were both recently reunited at Soccer Aid, with both football icons scoring during the charity match at Old Trafford.
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