The Premier League only began looking at the paperwork surrounding signing today because they had to wait until Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian had paid West Ham the $5million settlement agreed last week.

That money arrived in West Ham's bank account today and, with Tevez formally released from his contract and his registration made available, United were able to put forward their proposed two-year loan deal for the Argentina striker to the Premier League.

The league's lawyers are now looking through the details of the deal - and given the history surrounding the player will be sure to go through every clause closely.

Given that Tevez's fellow Argentina international Javier Mascherano was given the go-ahead for a similar signing for Liverpool last season, there should be time for United to receive clearance before they kick off the new season this weekend.

Meanwhile, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has insisted he never contemplated resigning over the criticism of his handling of the Tevez affair.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has called for both Scudamore and league chairman Sir Dave Richards to both quit - but he is adamant the board just followed the rule-book.

West Ham were fined £5.5million by an independent commission for contravening rules on third-party agreements when they signed Tevez and Mascherano, and the league have come in for criticism for allowing the striker to play a crucial role in the last three matches of the season.

Asked if he had considered his position, Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think so. All the board have done since last August is look at our rule-book and apply the rule-book.

"The independent commission made various decisions about West Ham's conduct and we have then gone on making decisions based on our rules.

"They may not have been popular decisions but that goes with the territory."

Scudamore did admit that the Tevez saga appeared "like a road crash".

He added: "What made this an unbelievable story was an unbelievable series of events.

"West Ham were all-but relegated at Christmas and then Tevez scored a few goals right at the end of the season and they were able to escape.

"It's unscripted drama and one of the things that makes football so interesting but it other ways it looks like a road crash in how some of the events appear."

Scudamore added that the whole affair was caused by West Ham's previous owners acting in bad faith and concealing the agreements from the Premier League.

He said: "The Premier League only works if you have good faith between the members."