Manchester City has apologized to Alex Ferguson after Carlos Tevez held up a placard taunting the Manchester United manager during the club's Premier League trophy parade.

Carlos Tevez holds 'RIP Fergie' sign at Manchester City's victory parade. [Photo:Sina.com]

Tevez held a sign with the text "R.I.P. Fergie" high over his head while aboard City's open-top bus, which traveled by 100,000 fans in Manchester on Monday.

Tevez left United to make the rare move across Manchester to City in 2009 after being unhappy at his lack of playing time under Ferguson.

City said in a statement that "the creation of the tasteless material is in itself reprehensible and in accepting and brandishing it, Carlos has made a significant error of judgment."

City added that it "wishes to express its sincerest apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United Football Club for any offense or distress caused."

Tevez left United to make the rare move across Manchester to City in 2009 after being unhappy at his lack of playing time under Ferguson. "I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager," Tevez said.

City beat United to the title on goal difference on Sunday after scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2.

About 100,000 fans packed the streets as City paraded the trophy through the city to celebrate its first English title in 44 years. Blue and white ticker-tape and streamers rained down on the team bus as City players showed off the trophy.

Supporters climbed lamp posts, jostled for position on roof tops and walls, and fathers held children on their shoulders to catch a glimpse of the City players aboard an open-top bus.

Fantastic

"Days like this are why we came to City and it's just fantastic," said City midfielder Gareth Barry, one of many players who joined the team in the last few years after it was bought up by wealthy Abu Dhabi owners. "Our fans have always been amazing and they're showing it here today. I've got memories I'll treasure for the rest of my career."

While the celebrations were in full force in Manchester's main square, United's dejected players were arriving at an end-of-season dinner that had an unusually solemn mood.

Ferguson insists he doesn't have to spend millions improving the team.

"We know City will spend fortunes, stupid money and pay silly salaries and all that," Ferguson said. "We will look at we can do and attract players here for the right reasons. The history of our club stands us aside," Ferguson said. "We don't need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone and it'll take them a century to get to our level of history."

The 70-year-old Ferguson said he has no plans to surrender quietly to City. "They know I'm not going away," he said.

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