There have been far better players and more prodigious goalscorers — not least several of his present team-mates — but few players have had the seismic impact on the Barclays Premier League as Carlos Alberto Tévez. The Argentina striker was widely blamed for the relegation of a club he never represented, Sheffield United, cost his former employers, West Ham United, more than £25 million in fines and reparations and was the subject of a lengthy legal dispute that threatened to destabilise the entire structure of the Premier League.

Even now, two months after Sheffield United and West Ham agreed an out-of-court settlement that appeared to have brought an end to the controversial matter of his dubious registration, the saga rumbles on. Manchester United are desperate to keep him after the expiry of a two-year lease agreement, but reluctant to meet the £22 million fee demanded by his mysterious owners — who, according to a legal letter circulated yesterday are not Media Sport Investment.

Just who exactly owns Tévez, and the length of his agreement with them, may never be known, but the crux of the matter lies with the insistence of his camp that United have not made one offer with regard to extending his contract at Old Trafford.

Nothing to £22 million is one hell of a leap, so his departure seems inevitable. Much to the chagrin of United fans, who urged the club again last night to “sign him up”. If only it were that simple.

Sir Alex Ferguson would like to blame this unholy mess on the people who own what they term Tévez’s “economic rights”, but the truth is far more complicated. Even if Tévez’s registration was more orthodox, it is by no means certain that he would agree to stay at United. The 25-year-old gave an interview last weekend announcing his goodbye, which was in part a propaganda exercise to put pressure on United, but also a genuine expression of his grievances at being overlooked for many big matches this season, particularly in the Champions League.

Tévez will have felt angered at being left on the bench again last night, but made the most of his opportunity to make an impression. The celebration of his equalising goal unmasked his true feelings and he was determined to ring every last drop of adulation from the visiting fans.

Tévez must wish that he was able simply to focus on playing football, but ever since he signed away his freedom as part of a deal to move to a big club in Europe he has never had that privilege. He may soon be gone, but is unlikely to be forgotten.