Carlos Tevez admits he would have loved Manchester United star Wayne Rooney to follow him to Manchester City as the sides prepare for the Manchester derby on Wednesday (City 17/10 to beat United).

The 26-year-old Argentinian spent two seasons at Old Trafford before making the switch to Eastlands in the summer of 2009 and has been in superb form for Roberto Mancini’s side, with 30 top-flight goals from just 44 appearances (Tevez 7/2 to be top Premier League scorer).

City were linked with a big-money move for Rooney after the England striker announced that he would be leaving United, only to make a dramatic U-turn and pledge his future to the club for another five years.

Tevez understands the reasons for Rooney’s decision to remain with the Red Devils but is still a big fan of his former team-mate and would have welcomed him to the City of Manchester Stadium with open arms.

“Wayne is a player of great quality,” he said.

“He was a team-mate and a friend of mine at United and he’s one of those men that is better to have on your team than against you.
 
“For me he is the best English striker of recent years. I would have liked him to come here, of course. But it was complicated for him to leave United. So we have to concentrate on our own game.”

City go into Wednesday’s high-profile game just three points behind their bitter rivals in fourth place in the Premier League standings but, as ever in derby matches, form will go out of the window and anything could happen.