Football FanCast columnist Alec Fenn marvels in the recent performances of Carlos Tevez and feels they have a player capable of firing the champions to domestic and European glory.

Amidst the splendour and glamour of Cristiano Ronaldo's performances this season, another talisman has emerged alongside United's prodigal son. With his shaggy hair and robust frame he is undoubtedly the antithesis of the slick, swaggering Portugese wing-wizard. But in Carlos Tevez Manchester United have a player capable of firing the Premier League champions to both domestic and European glory.

Indeed the Argentinean's impact was no more crucial than in the weekend's defeat of Liverpool. With both Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney guilty of glaring misses to kill the game, the introduction of Tevez provided the injection of quality that proved terminal for the Anfield side. A piece of virtuoso brilliance from Tevez gave Ronaldo the chance to finish the game, but his effort was tipped onto the crossbar. His goal from the resulting corner gave him another day on the back pages of the nation's tabloids, but it was the impact of the boy from Ciudadela that proved key.

One question that continues to dog Ronaldo is his ability to deliver in games of vast magnitude.  This is certainly a claim unlikely to be aimed at Tevez.  In his debut season with the Old Trafford outfit he has bagged goals against two of the ‘big four' as well as key goals in Europe, not least his last-gasp equaliser at the Stade de Gerland; in the first-leg, quarter final tie against Lyon.  

This is a point with which many West Ham fans will empathise as Tevez's ice-like nerve steered the Hammers from relegation to the Championship. Coincidentally it was a goal of real class at Old Trafford, in front of his future employers, that saved Alan Curbishley's men on the final day of the season and possibly sealed a dream move to United.

It appears upon closer inspection that the Argentine's career has been blessed with success of Midas-like proportions. Voted South American Player of the Year three-times at only 24, Tevez can count the Copa Libertadores, The Intercontinental Cup and an Olympic Gold medal amongst his achievements to date. As well as this his goals record for a second striker is impressive with 15 goals in 37 appearances to date.

A further bonus for Sir Alex Ferguson has been the telepathic partnership that has formed between Tevez and strike partner Wayne Rooney. With strike partnerships a rarity in the modern-day game the ability of the pair to forge a successful partnership has been imperative to the side's success so far this season and a testament to
the footballing brain of Tevez that has drawn comparisons with Eric Cantona. The spark between the pair could well be the missing piece of the jigsaw in the side's quest for European honours this season.

He may not have the diamond earings or the movie-star looks of the Portuguese wonder, but come the end of the season, it may well be the impact of Ferguson's ‘lion' that proves most telling as United look to sweep all before them.