Onlookers watching Manchester United’s success in the mid-2000s could be forgiven for thinking everything Sir Alex Ferguson touched turned to gold. The Red Devils won six of the nine Premier League titles on offer in that period.

Moreover, they reached the Champions League final twice, lifting their third major European honour in 2008. Fergie could seemingly do no wrong as he presided over a period of unprecedented dominance in English football, with a squad brimming with talent, including Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.

But even at the height of United’s success, Ferguson had little room for sentiment when it came to his biggest stars. One player walked away from Old Trafford to join the club’s rivals, feeling betrayed by his manager at a time when the Red Devils were on top of the world.

He has now revealed that he left out of revenge - and was so incensed by one teammate’s reaction to his departure that he wanted to ‘kill’ him.

Former Man United Star 'Wanted to Kill' Gary Neville

Carlos Tevez sent shockwaves through English football in 2009 when he forced a move from Man United to fierce local rivals Manchester City. At the time, the Cityzens were freshly armed with Abu Dhabi investment and determined to disrupt the Premier League's established hierarchy.

The Argentine had enjoyed immense success at Old Trafford, securing two league titles and a Champions League crown. However, a bitter contract dispute triggered his departure across the city.

Gary Neville couldn't understand Tevez's decision, publicly criticising his actions as disrespecting his manager, and the animosity between the two remains today. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, the scale of that friction was laid bare, as his former teammate reminded him:

“When I played against you, you wanted to kill Gary Neville.”

Tevez smirked as he agreed, making it clear that Neville’s failure to grasp what had gone on behind the scenes was at the heart of his frustration. "Gary, he said that I didn’t respect Ferguson. He didn’t understand me. He didn’t understand the situation," he replied.

Neville, meanwhile, never got over Tevez’s decision to switch sides in Manchester. The former England international later claimed the striker had downed tools towards the end of his United spell, prompting a heated on-air confrontation with Tevez’s then-agent, Kia Joorabchian.

Looking back on the move, Neville made no secret of his views on the loyalty expected of anyone wearing the Manchester United shirt. "I couldn't understand how he would want to engineer a move to your closest rivals," Neville previously stated. "City were building a project at the time but they weren't anywhere near where we were. I couldn't understand it, the lack of loyalty."

Ferguson Broke a Promise to Carlos Tevez

Tevez, who finished his Premier League career having scored 84 goals and registered 36 assists in 202 appearances, felt aggrieved by Sir Alex Ferguson, claiming the legendary Scottish manager broke a verbal promise to sign him permanently after his two-year loan spell concluded. He went on to explain to Ferdinand:

"I think that Ferguson had, from the day we talked, up to six months to keep his word. And he didn't. On the contrary, he started leaving me on the bench. In my head, he started pushing me aside so he could bring down what I was worth. And that's what hurt me the most. For me it was hard, Rio. It was hard because I felt like I'd given my heart to United. And I didn't feel the same."

His City career intensified the rivalry, with Tevez winning another Premier League title in 2012. During the celebrations, he held up a banner bearing the words "RIP Fergie", an episode that further strained relations with his former club.

"I had a great time at United," he concluded. "The other team, City, for me, was like a revenge. I didn't get back what I gave." The former Argentina international has since moved into management, most recently coaching Talleres in his homeland.