The image being shown in Manchester city centre tonight says 'Welcome to Carlos, Manchester' - mocking the giant blue poster erected by City when Tevez moved from United in 2009 showing a picture of the Argentina striker over the words 'Welcome to Manchester'.

The latest Tevez taunt was the work of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust who described it as "a warm-hearted message from some old friends".

Tevez has been suspended by his club pending an investigation into his apparent refusal to come off the bench during City's 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

City today tried to pull down the shutters on the affair by warning journalists not to asked manager Roberto Mancini about the issue.

Mancini appeared at his usual Friday press conference this morning but beforehand City's chief communications officer Victoria Kloss read out a statement it would be called off if he was asked about Tevez.

Kloss said: "Questions in relation to Carlos Tevez in general, in relation to his alleged conduct on Tuesday evening and the potential ramifications of that conduct and in relation to his future at the football club is strictly off limits and will not be answered.

"Breaches of this will result in the press conference being suspended. This decision has been made to protect the interests of all parties and safeguard the integrity of the investigation that is currently taking place."

Mancini was given backing for his handling of the incident by rival boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who praised him for his "strong management".

The Manchester United manager said: "I think that Roberto Mancini has come out and shown his strength of character, his strength of management and I think that is important.

"We have all experienced our own difficulties in management and you cope with it as best as you can. In my own experience strong management is important and there is nobody more important than the manager at a football club."

Meanwhile, QPR boss Neil Warnock weighed into the Tevez debate by declaring: "The sooner he leaves the country, the better."

Warnock also called for FIFA to allow clubs to slap long bans on players who show the kind of disobedience towards their managers Tevez is alleged to have displayed this week.

Warnock has no love for Tevez, who was at the centre of the third-party ownership saga four years ago that saw West Ham - who were today linked with an audacious bid to take their former player on loan - keep their top-flight status at the expense of his own Sheffield United.

Warnock said: "I can't see it being sorted by him staying. Within a few months, he'll be kissing another badge."