Tevez still has future - Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Carlos Tevez is still a key player for the club after handing the striker his first start in a month.

Tevez, 24, has suffered since £31m Dimitar Berbatov arrived but partnered him in Wednesday's win over West Ham.

"He has not started as many games as he would like but he is just as important to us as the guys who have hogged the headlines of late," said Ferguson.

"I stressed to him last week that our faith in him remains absolute."

The Argentine is still effectively on loan at United, having arrived on a two-year-deal from West Ham in 2007, but says he hopes to agree terms on a permanent contract at Old Trafford before the end of the season.

However, his future at United has been brought into question recently following the arrival of Berbatov from Spurs, along with the superb form of England striker Wayne Rooney but Ferguson is adamant he still has a major role to play.

"He remains a top player in the eyes of myself, the players and our supporters," he said.

"But three players will not fit into two positions and my job is to balance the team.

"Carlos worked really hard in the first half but I felt in the second he was feeling the effects of playing his first game for so long."

Speaking after the 2-0 win over West Ham, in which Tevez performed impressively, Ferguson also paid tribute to Berbatov.

The languid Bulgarian forward produced a superb piece of skill to take the ball past West Ham defender James Collins on his way to creating the game's second goal for Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Dimitar's play for the second goal was absolutely magnificent," added Ferguson.

"You would pay a lot of money to watch that. He has such fantastic control and balance. It truly was marvellous."