Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Manchester City over their new city billboard.

No sooner had City completed their capture of Carlos Tevez following the Argentina international's successful two-year stint at Old Trafford than a giant poster was erected at the bottom of Deansgate, one of Manchester's busiest shopping areas, declaring: "Carlos Tevez, welcome to Manchester."

No-one has owned up to putting the Tevez poster up, although as a club City have expressed similar sentiments on official merchandise in the past.

'This is our City', 'Greater Manchester' and 'Pure Manchester' were all the brainchild of advertising agency Grey London and depict City's pride in their roots compared to United, who Blues fans would argue have lost their soul in the drive to increase profits.

"It is like one of those war adverts - Your Country Needs You," he said.

"Arrogance comes in lots of different ways. I think it is daft."

Ferguson continued: "They were having a go at Manchester United.

"They have had a problem ever since I came down here - Manchester United.

"You have to understand, when they get their moment to grasp for and to seize for, they are going to take it."