Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has jumped to the defence of Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez.

Scholes did something similar at Manchester United in 2001.

He declined to play in a League Cup tie at Arsenal, believing he was being given the runaround by boss Alex Ferguson.

Scholes told The Sun: "I know how Carlos feels. He obviously thinks he is being messed about by Roberto Mancini and he probably has a case with the amount of football he has played.

"He was their best player last season. And there is no doubt that when Carlos Tevez is in the team, Manchester City are a better side."

Scholes reckons Tevez is suffering for trying to leave City in the summer.

He added: "I think Mancini is trying to get his own back on him.

"Carlos has it in his mind he is being messed about as he is not being played. And when you get that in your head, you make strange decisions.

"It is exactly what I did. But it is something he will regret in time."