Carlos Tevez begged Manchester City fans to give him the 'RIP Fergie' sign on Monday, it has been revealed.
Sue Bradsell, 52, passed the cardboard tombstone to the Argentinian striker as he toured streets by bus to mark City's Premier League title win.
Sue told The Sun: "He was leaning over the side of the bus, obviously trying to reach for this poster and begging the crowd to pass it to him. I didn't know what was on it at the time. I just saw that he was keen to get hold of it, so I grabbed the sign and shouted out 'Tevez' and he took it off me and smiled.
"I think Tevez knew what the sign said, especially when he was on the bus. His English is good enough to understand that. But I'd no idea it had sparked this big furore. It's just a poster, I don't think it was meant with any malice. I think it's all a bit unfair on Tevez - he just got caught up in the excitement of the day."