Joe at the Hart of Manchester City celebrations

Manchester City have apologised to rival Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after striker Carlos Tevez held up a banner goading his former manager.

Fans climbed lampposts and jostled for position on roof tops and walls to glimpse a sight of the players.

Tevez has also expressed his regret after he was pictured with a sign which read 'RIP Fergie' during City's celebratory title-winning parade in Manchester.

The 28-year-old is thought to have been passed or thrown the banner by a fan as City's open-top bus made its way through the city centre with the squad and the Barclays Premier League trophy.

The incident overshadowed City's celebrations in front of more than 100,000 fans who lined the streets.

Roberto Mancini, his players, including Shrewsbury's Joe Hart, and staff gathered at Albert Square last night where they were greeted by about 12,000 supporters in sky blue. Fans climbed lampposts and jostled for position on roof tops and walls to glimpse a sight of the players.

Hart, 25, told fans: "It was one of the most dramatic days of my life – and one of the best."

The former Meole Brace school pupil, who won the Golden Glove Award for the second successive season after keeping 17 clean sheets, was seen taking photographs of the crowds from the bus.