I spend a lot of time on bench and I don’t like it!

IT was the moment that has probably made up Carlos Tevez’s mind and spelt the end of his time at Manchester United.

The Argentine’s electric Champions League performance against Arsenal had the Old Trafford crowd in raptures for 66 minutes — then he looked up and saw his number held up on the touchline.

As he walked off to be replaced by Dimitar Berbatov, Tevez shook his head in disbelief with little regard to the fact that countless millions were watching on TV.

Actually, that was probably what Tevez wanted. To show the world how unhappy he is at the treatment he has been getting at the club.

And soon after United’s 1-0 win in the first leg of their semi-final, the striker dropped a bombshell by claiming he is set to quit at the end of the season — and would love a switch to Spain.

It is no coincidence he chose Madrid’s leading radio station Cadena COPE to say he would like a move to La Liga.

SunSport revealed back on October 17 that Real Madrid had begun trying to unsettle Tevez, whose complicated contractual arrangement at United has yet to be resolved.

And as he aired his frustration, Tevez was sending a clear ‘come and get me’ message to the Spanish giants.

Tevez said: “It’s true I’ve spent a lot of time on the bench and I’d like to play more. But every time I’m given a chance I do all I can to do well and take full advantage.

“Yes, it’s like that, it’s true I see myself more leaving United than staying here.

“I don’t see why I should lie to people or anything because the fans support me a lot as you can see. So I don’t have any reason to lie to them.”

Tevez walked off to a huge ovation on Wednesday, underlining his popularity with the fans despite a lack of goals.

But for the striker it was the culmination of a nightmare season in which he has had to spend long spells on the bench.

The United hitman has scored three goals in 16 Premier League starts this season and blames the lack of continuity in the first team for his poor return.

It is a huge question whether Tevez’s lack of goals is down to Alex Ferguson’s team selection — or the other way around.

One thing is certain, Tevez will keep running himself into the ground for boss Fergie even though he is set to quit Manchester come the summer.

He added: “While I wear the United shirt I will leave my life on the pitch. You can see that in every game I play. I respect people a lot and I’m grateful to them.

“My future? I don’t know what will happen for my future. I would like to go to Spain, yes, but I don’t know yet.

“I have no preference for a team . . . we’ll see.”

Tevez insisted United’s 1-0 first-leg win over arch-rivals Arsenal gives the Red Devils a huge advantage in their quest to reach the final in Rome.

Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia pulled off a string of blinding saves — including one from Tevez — to keep the visitors’ European hopes alive.

But Tevez believes United’s own clean sheet will prove crucial, although he warned his team-mates against any complacency ahead of next Tuesday’s return at The Emirates.

Tevez added: “It’s true if it wasn’t for Almunia, who had a very good game, we could have had a much bigger advantage.

“But we finished the game with a good feeling because we played very well in every way and we beat Arsenal.

“We have to respect Arsenal and there are still 90 minutes to play. We won by the narrowest margin. It’s important they didn’t score a goal but nothing has been decided yet.”

Tevez’s outburst on Cadena COPE on Wednesday night came just days after he had also revealed he was fed up with life in Manchester and wants to be somewhere where his beloved daughter Florencia is happy.

Tevez, 25, said: “I want a country perfect for my family. I especially want my daughter to be comfortable.

“With respect to the fans and the history of Manchester United, I don’t want to leave the club. But from a personal aspect, my exit will be the best solution.

“I need continuity in the team to offer my best. If this doesn’t happen I believe this will be my last year.”