Manchester City have moved to gag Carlos Tevez ahead of their clash with Manchester United.

The Mirror says Tevez has been gagged by Manchester City to prevent him sparking another explosive war of words with Manchester United.

City want to avoid a repeat of Tevez's bitter slagging match with Gary Neville, which boiled over when the sides last met in the Carling Cup semis in January.

Tevez branded the United skipper a "boot licker" and a "moron", prompting the FA to warn both clubs to be on their best behaviour before the second leg.

City were concerned the outspoken Tevez might launch another attack on United before Saturday's showdown at Eastlands given that the Argentine hitman feels he was badly treated at Old Trafford.

All interview requests with Tevez have been refused and the club have even asked his publicity-hungry representative, Kia Joorabchian, to go along with the gagging order.