Alex Ferguson's personal plea fails to convince Carlos Tevez stay

Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have failed in a personal attempt to persuade Carlos Tevez that his future remains at Manchester United after he telephoned the 25-year old striker to speak to him directly, The Guardian says.

The Argentinian, who has become disillusioned at Old Trafford, is considering his options, including a potential move across the city to Manchester City, although that is said to be "only one of a few options" he is weighing up. He is also said to have been nonplussed by Ferguson's intervention after a source close to him said: "You treat someone badly for a whole year, you don't make it up with a telephone call, right?"

The forward is unhappy at United because he believes that he should have been considered the automatic first-choice by Ferguson for the majority of United's high profile games last season. Tevez is also thought to be bemused that ¬Ferguson is now seemingly keen to make him feel wanted only at the point where he may leave the club.

Tevez is in Quito for Argentina's World Cup qualifier with Ecuador, following which his advisers "will start talking with different clubs", the source confirmed. "It should take two to three weeks for Carlos's future to be finally decided."

When asked about moving to City, the source said: "It's an option. But no one option is more serious than another – City, Chelsea, Liverpool: they're all options." The source also confirmed that staying in the Premier League is the "first choice" for the Argentinian, who is reportedly also attracting interest from other European clubs.

Asked if the forward, who has scored 19 goals in the Premier League since joining United two seasons ago, might still stay at Old Trafford, the source said there "is always a small chance" in football. Would Ferguson, then, try to personally intervene again? "Who knows? It's up to him."