Manchester City privately did not welcome Carlos Tevez back with open arms, it has been revealed.

Tevez could be City's hero tonight against Manchester United, barely months after returning from a self-imposed exile.

"There was a real sense of anger at the way Carlos had treated the club," said one City source to the Daily Mail.

"Some people just wanted to cut his legs from beneath him, to keep him in isolation from the rest of the squad and then sell him in the summer."

Manager Roberto Mancini remains unimpressed by Tevez's application in training and considers him overweight. But Mario Balotelli's suspension forced his hand and now goes into the derby in good scoring form - if not fully fit.