Tévez applauds United co-stars

'Great feeling'
Save for some frantic script rewriting, it seems unlikely that events in Moscow next Wednesday will feature yet it appears Tévez has already found his happy ending since arriving at United last summer. "Playing at Old Trafford every fortnight is a great feeling - I feel like a small boy sometimes," he told uefa.com. The Argentinian has scored 19 goals in a maiden campaign which, in complete contrast to last season's relegation fight with West Ham United FC, has brought a Premier League winner's medal and now the opportunity of European glory.

'Real battle'
Tévez believes United go into the final with a psychological edge over opponents Chelsea FC, having already denied the Londoners in the domestic title chase. "We are not going to relax - we're playing in a final - but mentally it is very good for us and I think we can win and have something else to celebrate," he said. "I'm sure it is going to be very tough, a real battle. The team that makes better use of the ball and takes the game to the opposition will win. It is going to be as tough as playing them in the Premier League, obviously."

Privilege
The 24-year-old struck his first United goal in the 2-0 defeat of Chelsea at Old Trafford last September and has since developed the happy knack of scoring at key moments: a winner at Anfield, not to mention late equalisers at Tottenham Hotspur FC and Blackburn Rovers FC in the Premier League and another at Olympique Lyonnais in Europe. For this, Sir Alex Ferguson has likened him to Eric Cantona yet Tévez is eager to deflect the praise on to his two principal colleagues in United's fluid forward line, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. "It is a privilege to know they are there and that if you have an off-day, they'll be there to save the day. It's great to play with both of them," he said.

'Very happy' 
Reflecting on his own contribution, Tévez added: "I am very pleased considering I didn't have a proper pre-season. I've stayed clear of injuries and the truth is everything's going very well. It means a lot to play in the final of the Champions League in my first season here and I'm very happy. The people, the club, the fans have all been great which has made it easier to settle here." Not surprisingly, having signed on a two-year loan, he now makes no secret of his desire to "stay here for a long time". Win or lose in Moscow, if he continues at his present rate, he should soon have enough material for a sequel.