Sir Alex Ferguson believes speculation over Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester United has been blown out of proportion.

The Argentina international is approaching the end of his two-year loan deal at Old Trafford, but is yet to pen a permanent contract.

With time running out, United are yet to agree a fee with Tevez's third-party owners or personal terms with the player himself.

That has led to suggestions that the 25-year-old will be heading to pastures new over the summer, with his lack of action this season only serving to fuel those rumours.

However, Ferguson insists Tevez remains part of his long-term plans and has defended his decision to rotate the forward at regular intervals this term, claiming that is part and parcel of having a squad brimming with world-class talent.

"The Tevez thing, it is a media story," the United boss told L'Equipe Magazine.

"As he is not our player, everything that goes on with him is analysed on this premise.

"It's good for papers to say Tevez isn't playing. But when it is (Michael) Carrick, (Darren) Fletcher, (Ryan) Giggs or (Paul) Scholes, nobody could care less.

"I have 23 players. Up front, I must choose between Tevez, (Wayne) Rooney, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Dimitar) Berbatov, Nani, Park Ji-sung, Giggs, Scholes and some youngsters.

"You can't play them all together.

"Players like Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo are still progressing. For me, a player reaches maturity at 26-27."