Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Carlos Tevez is working just as hard off the pitch as he does on it.

Ferguson paid tribute to Tevez, who despite struggling to learn English is letting "the football language talk".

Tevez is being given private tuition at home to improve his English and Ferguson said he is working hard.

But the United boss could not hide his delight at securing the services of the man who he believes single-handedly kept West Ham in the Premier League last season.

"What I have noticed about the boy here, since he has come to us, is that when he loses the ball he wants it back which is a great attribute to have as a striker really, not every striker thinks that way. So he's got a lot of great things about him and most importantly that great enthusiasm to play."