MANCHESTER United have rejected claims they have made a bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer of the Bulgaria international, who scored 23 goals in his debut campaign with Spurs.
It is believed at one stage this summer Ferguson did make a tentative inquiry for the 26-year-old, only to be flatly told there was no possibility of a sale.
Yet Berbatov's agent, Emil Dantchev last night claimed United have been in touch again with a firm offer and he will meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy at some stage next week to discuss the interest.
However, Reds have taken the unusual step of denying the story publicly.
"United are linked with many players in every transfer window," said chief executive David Gill.
"The club have categorically not made a bid for Berbatov."
Given the unequivocal nature of Gill's statement, and the mere fact he decided to make it, there is clearly no appetite to follow up Ferguson's initial interest, with the United boss claiming there would be no more purchases before the transfer window shuts next Friday.
"We made an inquiry about a striker not so long ago. The club concerned would not sell and it remains that way," Ferguson said. "With a week to the transfer deadline, it would be impossible to get anyone else in now."
Spurs boss Martin Jol, whose side visit Old Trafford tomorrow, said last night: "I'd rather die than sell him."
And he denied there was a rift between himself and the player
"Berbatov loves me," Jol insisted. "If he is playing well he gets all the praise and if he is not doing well I have to tell him."
Meanwhile, Fergie is blaming boardroom hangers-on, the media and a continental attitude developing in football for intense pressure Premier League managers find themselves under.
He singled those out as the factors putting the pressure on Jol. Just three matches into the Premiership campaign and the Tottenham manager's job has been under severe scrutiny.
Spurs are above United in the table, having lost their two openers to Sunderland and Everton before getting the first win on the board against Derby County.
But the media have been making much of the fact that Seville coach Juande Ramos has allegedly been spoken to by the London club as Jol's successor.
The White Hart Lane hierarchy have denied that the Spaniard is heir apparent at Spurs and chairman Levy has backed the under-fire Dutchman.
However, Spurs come to Old Trafford tomorrow still with a cloud over the club.
But Fergie finds it ludicrous that he once again has to back a fellow manager.
"I know enough about Martin Jol's work. I interviewed him for a job as assistant here after Carlos Queiroz left," he said. "I know the work he has done in Holland is outstanding, particularly working with little resources. He doesn't really need me to trumpet his abilities. Everyone is aware of them.
"You need time to change round a massive club like that and win a championship. The job he did last year was terrific.
"He has bought well. He has only had two full seasons in charge.
"It is encouraging that Daniel Levy has come out and said he is completely supportive. I hope that is the case. That is the kind of thing he really needs now.
"It is just sad there is such a knee-jerk reaction in football today. The amount of times I have sat here over the years and supported managers who are under pressure is unfair. But it doesn't change.
"There have been managers sacked four or five games into a season. Peter Reid (at City), Bobby Robson (at Newcastle). You think `what are they doing?'
"I have said time and again, there is no evidence that sacking a manager gets you success."
Should United go after Berbatov? Have your say.
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Does United need another striker? Maybe, but comments on other articles suggesting the United's bench is laughable compared to City is myopic thinking. Just think of the nbench had all our players been available: Ronaldo, Neville, Saha, Solsjaer, Rooney.... how fickle some 'fans' are, the goals will come, have some faith in a great manager!
Unwise move and too over confident. We need a cover striker. If Berbatov is too expensive then Anelka has to be the one. Tall, quick , strong and PL experienced. Splash another 10 or so millions to save the 50 millions we've already spent.
Personally I think Jol is a great manager, a great caracter as well. I`m convinced he will do a great job at Tottenham. Im happy Saha is back. If he stays fit we will be fine with the strikers we have. To get Anderson into the team provides us with more attacking opitons, Im sure the goals will come.
I hope we start scoring soon and save money for a good right back .
the realyt of it my fellow reds wich ive known since all thsi papaer talk came out united wont sign any new players before the transfer window for a number reason one wheres the money gonan come from unless well more players in wich would still leave in the same possion if anothe rplayer got injuerd latter on in the season, 2 not enuff time in the transfer window to thrash out a deal for world class player and lastly its only been 3 games dont why everyones panking im cerntlay plenty more games to play win, and when we have a fully fit squad temas arent going to know whats hit them
More poaching from Fergie, and he has the gall to moan at Benitez!
If Fergie isn't wanting to spend much how about getting Adriano on loan?! Inter have just said that he is availible for a season long loan and he's eligable for the Champions League. He's a target man and wouldn't be a bad tempory solution until the next transfer window or next summer. Although Fergie has just said he might see if Saha comes back alright.
If Fergie isn't wanting to spend much how about getting Adriano on loan?! Inter have just said that he is availible for a season long loan and he's eligable for the Champions League. He's a target man and wouldn't be a bad tempory solution until the next transfer window or next summer. Although Fergie has just said he might see if Saha comes back alright.
Is any one else starting to get worried about Arsenal again?
They beat the bitters yesterday and surely that means they must be better than us after the way City dealt so easily with soaking up our attacking threat and hitting us with a classic counterpunch.
Having said that our attack is vastly overated, not to mention overpaid.
I don't know if I can cope with having to be resentful about Arsenal again... I've got enough to worry about being bitter about the scousers and chelsea's success!
Surely Fergie should be getting back to what he's best at and get this Berbatov fella tapped up.
Good evening Mr Gill, we have won the match buttttttt can you do without Berbatov.
Berbatov was magical in front of goal.That he did not score was thanks to our defenders.
Please Messrs Glaezer, Gill and Ferguson you cant do without Berbatov or just maybe Adriano.
Yes one fact emerges I would not part with Nani for all the riches on earth. He has played his heart out for us.
After today's display, the need for another striker is clear. We were awful up front,(actually all over the field) not that Spurs were much better in their finishing ( but thanks Rio & Wes for that!). Berbatov isn't going to happen, and as Gill says with only a week left, almost impossible to get someone in. Going to be a long season.
No bid for Berbatov? my god you need him!!! Tevez is as prolific as Corradi!!
After what I saw today: his ball handling, his technic, his resist to defenders...
Go get 'm Gill.
Take say Terry and Essien out of Chelsea. Take say Van Persie and Fabregas out of Arsenal and finally take Gerrard and Kuyt out of the pool and tell me they would be top of the table. I think not. We have massive players missing so lets take a deep breath, ignore the detractors and move on. Nev, Ronny, Saha and Anderson will be ready soon. We are going to be fine.
brazil U17 stars Rafael and Fabio Silva have revealed they could be joining Manchester United during the winter market.
The twins were identified as 15 year-olds by United and will move from Fluminense possibly as early as January.
Click here to find out more!
Rafael told fifa.com: "We might be going across in January, but we're not sure. We've already started to learn a little bit of English - and yes, we're really looking forward to it. We're also looking forward to playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. We met him - and he said it would be good for us to join the club."
Fabio also said: "Anderson is also playing for the club too, so it will be good to see him. There seem to be a lot of Brazilian players in England now - Lucas is at Liverpool, Geovanni and Elano are at Manchester City, so it will be good to see them when we are in Manchester. I'm sure they'll help us adjust to living in England. But we're going over there to experience it for ourselves and learn more about football too."
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