United have confirmed that Carlos Tevez is leaving the club.

United were willing to pay the £25.5m to turn the striker's two-year loan move into a permanent five-year deal but Tevez, 25, has decided to move on.

"Disappointingly, his advisors informed the club that he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United," read a United statement.

"The club thanks Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

Tevez became a crowd favourite during his time at the Old Trafford club and helped the side win the last two Premier League titles as well as the 2008 Champions League trophy.

But he has joined Cristiano Ronaldo in wanting to exit the club, with his final appearance being as a substitute in United's loss to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.

United said they were willing to make Tevez "one of its highest paid players" but were told by the Argentine's advisors, who own the player's economic rights, that he would not be accepting the offer of their deal.

Manchester City are now favourites to sign him but he has also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool.

City's financial clout makes them the frontrunners as their manager Mark Hughes tries to put together a squad capable of challenging the top four of United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Tevez scored 15 goals last season but was frustrated at continually finding himself on the bench for key games and was wary of the issue ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Despite the affection of United's fans, he has reportedly complained of a lack of respect from the club and his treatment at their hands.

Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian recently explained that United's failure to sign his client up permanently last summer and in January 2009 were behind Tevez's complaints.

His departure now leaves United manager Sir Alex Ferguson without two of his most influential players of recent seasons.

Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia has been linked with a move to United as the club try to replace the duo.

GREEDY Carlos Tevez has told Manchester United: Make me your highest-paid player — or I go.

The Red Devils have agreed the £26million asking price to make the Argie striker’s loan move permanent.

But they have still to match the personal terms of £110,000 a week that stars Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar Berbatov earn.

Tevez, 25, has been on £95,000 a week since joining Alex Ferguson’s side but his loan ends at the end of this month.

He is on holiday in Buenos Aires where he has also been contacted directly by new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

SunSport revealed details of that phone call this week and how impressed Tevez was with new Blues' boss Ancelotti's personal approach.

Moneybags Manchester City are also interested in grabbing the hitman as boss Mark Hughes bids to build a team capable of giving the Premier League's Big Four a bloody nose.

That threw United into panic, yet they could have had the deal wrapped up months ago had they wanted to.

Tevez was frustrated with the Red Devils last season for leaving him in the dark over his future. Now the player and his agent and co-owner Kia Joorabchian are happy to keep them waiting on their decision.

Meanwhile, United starlet Darron Gibson insists Cristiano Ronaldo, 24, will not be missed.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Gibson, 21, spoke out after the Portugal man's departure to Real Madrid.

He said: "A fee of £80m was simply too much to refuse. But we've a great squad and I don't think we'll miss him. There are a few that can step in and do as well."

UNITED are monitoring Arsenal star Robin van Persie.

Sir Alex Ferguson is aware the £20million-rated striker is yet to commit to a new contract at The Emirates.

And the United chief's interest has intensified after Van Persie admitted prizes mean more to him than money.

He recently admitted: "In the last four years I've won only one prize, the FA Cup, and that is too little. I want more."

Van Persie has one year left on his current deal.

The Gunners have offered the Dutchman £80,000 a week, considerably less than Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand earn at Old Trafford.

But Van Persie, 26, is more interested in who boss Arsene Wenger plans to sign this summer than the money on the table.

He said: "Financially the offer is fine but that is not everything to me. It's about my ambition and how that can be fulfilled."

United are not the only club watching with interest - Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is also keen.

A Dutch source added: "Robin loves it at Arsenal but he is getting to the age when he wants to win things. He knows that there are clubs interested in him and is waiting to see what happens."

Van Persie signed for Arsenal five years ago but injuries have restricted him to 79 League starts.

United will begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to newly promoted Birmingham as the campaign gets under way on the weekend of August 15.

United have to wait until the end of the month before they play one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on 29 August, with the return fixture at the Emirates on 30 January.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side visit Anfield to play Liverpool on 24 October and last season's runners-up are at Old Trafford on 20 March. Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United when they play the champions at Stamford Bridge on 7 November, with the return fixture on 3 April.

Last season's losing Champions League finalists close the season at home to Stoke on 9 May, while Liverpool finish their season at Hull on 9 May.

Brazil prospect Douglas Costa’s agent has claimed the Gremio youngster is being eyed as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Attacking midfielder Douglas, 18, has earned rave reviews in his homeland and has been linked with the Old Trafford club for the last two years.

Douglas has four years remaining on his contract with Gremio but the Brazilian side are likely to hold out for around £20 million.

The diminutive Brazil U20 international has been described as ’the new Ronaldinho’ and is a noted free-kick specialist

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan have also been tracking him over the last 18 months.

But his agent, Cesar Bottega, believes the player could fill the void left by Madrid-bound Ronaldo at United and claims he is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s shortlist of targets.

Bottega said: "They have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them.

"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."