United says Tevez is leaving the club

Manchester United says Carlos Tevez will leave the Premier League club after a permanent contract could not be agreed.

The Argentina striker's loan deal at Man United expires at the end of the month. The announcement on Saturday could lead to him joining United's crosstown rival, Manchester City.

United would have had to pay the group of investors that own Tevez about 25 million pounds (NZ$65.19 million) to sign him.

Tevez joined United from West Ham at the start of the 2007-08 season and quickly become a fan favourite.

AP