Tevez may be the man of the moment, but Given is City's main man - and bargain of the season

By David McDonnell

Published 09:56 21/01/10

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Carlos Tevez may be feted as Manchester City's current man of the moment, with 17 goals this season, including 13 in his last 11 games.

But against Manchester United in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final double bill, Shay Given once again proved himself to be City's most influential signing.

At £5.9million, Given is already the Premier League bargain of the season, five crucial saves to deny Wayne Rooney at Eastlands on Saturday compelling evidence of his importance for City.

When you consider that the goalkeeper at the other end on Tuesday, Edwin van der Sar, is 39 and still United's undisputed No.1, 33-year-old Given has many seasons left at the top.

Spread the meagre fee mega-rich City paid for Given over those seasons and it soon becomes apparent that Sheikh Mansour's cheapest signing is also proving to be his most worthwhile.

Great goalkeepers are a rarity in the modern game. Just ask Sir Alex Ferguson, who went through a succession of candidates in his quest to find Peter Schmeichel's natural successor.

It took Fergie seven years to find his man, and it's no coincidence that van der Sar's arrival in 2005 co-incided with United's re-emergence as English football's dominant force.

And in Given, City have their own van der Sar, a goalkeeper whose brilliance may finally be rewarded with the honours he deserves after more than a decade of frustration at Newcastle.

He'd never admit it, but Fergie knows he should have listened to the fans and signed him up  

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