Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has fired an early warning to his former club Manchester United ahead of their Carling Cup semi-final match. The Argentina international is relishing the challenge of another derby with a trip to Wembley at stake.

The 25-year-old, who made the switch across the city in the summer, said through an interpreter: “It is a Classico.

“The Manchester City fans want us to win and the important thing is we will be ready for them. It is a special game for me of course.”

City manager Mark Hughes added: “It is a fantastic draw. Everybody in Manchester will be excited by it and probably a much wider worldwide footballing public as well.”

Tevez has enjoyed some good moments in the Carling Cup and was part of the United side that won the trophy last season.

He helped them along the road in spectacular style last December, scoring four of his total of 15 United goals in the 5-3 quarter-final defeat of Blackburn.

Last night Tevez scored with a thunderous strike in the 3-0 victory against Arsenal to set up the derby showdown.

It was his fifth goal of the season and three of them have come in the Carling Cup.

“I always like to play regardless (of the competition),” he told www.mcfc.co.uk. “It was good to get the goal as it gave me some confidence.

“It was important for me and the club. I am feeling good about what happened.”

Tevez has struggled with injuries this season and been in and out of the team.

However, Hughes felt obliged before the match to clarify the player’s role at the club.

Hughes was adamant that he saw Tevez as a central figure in the club’s development and not just as an impact player as had been suggested. Tevez, who started last night, said: “I am not yet completely fit but I am feeling better as time goes by. Getting the goal helps me.”

City’s victory was all the more welcome given they went into the Arsenal match on the back of seven successive league draws.

That unusual run has put a dent in their hopes of breaking into the top four but Tevez is hoping to put down a marker on Saturday when they face leaders Chelsea.

He said: “It is going to be a difficult game because obviously we have only two days rest. I am sure we will be ready and I will try and get another goal.”