MANCHESTER CITY HAVE apologised to Alex Ferguson after Carlos Tevez brandished a sign taunting the Manchester United manager last night.

Former United striker Tevez held up a poster given to him by a fan which read ‘RIP Fergie’ during City’s Premier League trophy parade in Manchester.

The meaning behind the poster could relate to Ferguson’s response to a question in 2009 about whether United would ever be underdogs against City. “Not in my lifetime,” he replied.

“The creation of the tasteless material is in itself reprehensible. In accepting and brandishing it, Carlos has made a significant error of judgement,” a City spokesperson said.

“The club wishes to express its sincerest apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United for any offence or distress caused.”

Tevez, who made the cross-town switch from United to City in 2009, said he got carried away by the celebrations and did not mean to offend Ferguson.

“I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn’t mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager,” the Argentine said.

City sealed their first league title in the English top flight since 1968 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, denying reigning champions United a 20th league crown.

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