Berbatov dreams of OT switch

August 18, 2008

Dimitar Berbatov

SIR Alex Ferguson remained tight-lipped on the Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga but the Bulgarian hitman admits he is dreaming of a move to Old Trafford.

Having made a cameo appearance as a sub for Tottenham against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday, United's 27-year-old target is on international duty with Bulgaria playing Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly on Wednesday.

"No one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream," he says. "I'm now with the national team, so I want to think about the national team.

"It's not a hard period for me. I still have friends in Tottenham.

"I'm not angry about the decision of Ramos to name me as a substitute against Boro. I'm not crying. I only show my emotions to my close friends and family.

"But if I was laughing when I was on the bench, people would say I was an idiot. I noticed that Eric Cantona never smiled, but I don't know if anyone ever asked him why he didn't look happier."

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev admitted this week is set to be crucial as the August 31 summer transfer window deadline looms. "We have two more weeks until the end of the transfer window. I think this will be the most important week," he said.

But when asked about the Berbatov pursuit, the United manager refused to comment, saying he was happy to continue with last term's strike-force of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, who was absent yesterday, having returned home to Buenos Aires following the death of a close relative.

"I am not discussing anyone," the Reds manager insisted.

"We have a good squad and when Tevez gets back and Rooney gets games that will be my strike force."

Do United need to strengthen? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (52) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Gerry, Glastonbury (18/08/2008 at 08:15)

YAWN & YAWN again!!!

Gary Breen's Handball (18/08/2008 at 08:46)

It will happen this week. Hopefully Berbatov will have influenced Spurs enough to finally let him go - this statement (if real) coupled with the attitude he showed on the pitch on Saturday should be more than enough (oh, and 25m might count for something).

If not we will try to get Santa Cruz, who scored a nice goal with a clinical strike which would make Ruud proud. SAF watched the Blackburn game and I can only imagine he was there to watch Cruz, unless he wants to sign P Neville in a bid to bulk up the midfield...

jazza13, Auckland, New Zealand (18/08/2008 at 08:58)

we don't need Berbatov. Saw Campbell and Rooney today and I don't think we need someone new to the mixture.

emilios1980, athens (18/08/2008 at 09:01)

the same story again?sir alex say maybe have not signings this year!play with campbell?WAKE UP UNITED!!!!!

Steve, Glossop (18/08/2008 at 09:54)

Get it sorted Gill. We can't rely on Ronaldo getting 40% of our PL goals again. Campbell's promising but not ready & Manucho do me a favour. I defy anyone to come on here & seriously state Berbatov shouldn't arrive.

Gilly, Belgium (18/08/2008 at 09:57)

OMG ofcourse we need a world class striker !! like we did last year as well !!!
rooney likes to play a bit deep , giggs is now too old to cope with being in the forward line that leaves us Tevez !! who is like lightening and good but not an out and out striker !!!
come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Michael Maddox (18/08/2008 at 09:57)

This is just a game Sir Alex is playing. Of course he is in the market for a top striker! If he doesn't get the one he wants, he can always say he was going to stick with Rooney and Teves anyway so as not to loose face.
Mikey.

The Truth (18/08/2008 at 10:05)

Sign him up Fergie....then loan him to us!

Roy (18/08/2008 at 10:17)

Berbatov is a striker and his arrival will transform Utd's front line.

It will also allow SAF to rest Rooney.

I know its the season start and Rooney has had a virus but there is something fundamentally wrong when Rooney is picking up the ball on the half way line and taking corners.

Utd and Rooney need to look at what is happening with his game and adapt. Competition for a place may do wonders for Rooney.

Yesterday was good: Utd got a point (as opposed to none) and it was a wake-up call. Given the lack of players Utd will only get better.

Best of all imagine the depression had this been the new Utd without Ronaldo. He may be absent but he still wears red!

Red Dawn (18/08/2008 at 10:18)

I'm still confident Berbatov will arrive.

United are doing the best they can behind the scenes to bring players in, but it's not as easy as some people think.

Some people think it's just a case of identifying players and signing them, end of story. That's not the way it works unfortunately for various possible reasons.

Spurs will want to get the best possible price they can for Berbatov, but you also have to realise that by selling him now, they'll be left with only Darren Bent as their centre forward.

If the situation was reversed, wouldn't you like to add to your strike force first, before letting a player of Berbatovs quality go?

You can be sure you would.

Have patience everyone.

Roy (18/08/2008 at 10:30)

Im trying to think more positively - after 4 games Utd will be 8 points behind Chelsea.

But then Utd turn the corner come October and end the season top - SAF's second treble of consecutive league wins.

Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney each end the season with 20+ league goals - a EPL first.

Oh and Anderson gets his first this season.

Damn, that's positive.

the artist formerly known as Saha Rocks, work (18/08/2008 at 11:05)

Is it just me or does anyone else think that we are NOT chasing Berbatov after all?

Sure, we were interested in him at some point but Spurs don't really want to do business, do they? Not by quoting that price anyway.

No, I'm convinced SAF/Gill are looking at other options (not Berbatov) but are increasingly getting resigned to not getting anyone in before 31/8, hence the persistent comments of "we're happy with what we've got".

warlock, Toronto (18/08/2008 at 11:46)

and the Cantona comparison.......

I personally think with this admission it will make Levy drive a more harder bargain....I'm giving up hope on getting my Berba jersey.......

Bill Wirral (18/08/2008 at 12:01)

Damn thats good Roy. Luv It.

Elihud, Tanzania (18/08/2008 at 12:17)

I don think that,we can win trophies without a world class striker.I'm sure that,both Roon and tevez will be so good when they play behind someone like Berbatov.Finger crossed,may be the deal can be finally finished this week.

stevi, france (18/08/2008 at 12:22)

I still think we'll get Berbatov before the window closes, Santa Cruz is good but is he really good enough for us??

Its better no one comes in than second best, if SAF feels Berbatov is the missing bit of the puzzle there's little point in signing someone else, we'll beat Portsmouth, at least draw against Chelski & Liverpool away, with all the players we have missing that would be a good result.

There's really no need to panic....

Little Red Devil, England (18/08/2008 at 12:51)

This sounds strangley familiar, with a strong wiff of double standards.

Berbatov wants to follow his dream.
States it publicly.
Is under contract at his current club.
But then again united always get there man.

I won't complain if he arrives nor will anyone else.
Fickle football fans.

Red Culture (18/08/2008 at 12:54)

We need this guy more than ever! The Roonster is misfiring and will be misfiring again and again.

Demo, Glossop (18/08/2008 at 13:15)

i definately think the berb is needed and will come! spurs just need to tie up the arshavin deal first!

callam, prestwhich (18/08/2008 at 13:23)

he's the third best footballer statistically in the premier league, we really should be unstoppable with him. He is a big figure and personaqlity that fergie will have to keep an eye on but when do you ever hear of any up set and un rest from players about not playing? this is a good trait to have. But we cant wait forever, like the scotish scouse housen says you cant win the leugue this early on but you can loose it!

ted knott, droylsden (18/08/2008 at 13:57)

Utd could save themselves £30M by giving Campbell a chance signing Berbatov will 1. increase their debt
2. put Campbell lower down the pecking order

Chris,, Ireland (18/08/2008 at 14:47)

ted knott, I would like to see Campbell get a run in the team too but the fact is he needs to be introduced slowly, coming off the bench in matches then eventually he can be considered for the first team. I was impressed by him on Sunday. But the fact is if we gamble with Campbell up front and Rooney or Tevez get injured and Campbell doesnt perform then we could lose out on the title and also the 60-70m or whatever the prize for winning is now. So if we buy Berbatov who has the experience we need and win the title then will still be 30-40m better off. I know your a city fan so would love to see us lose the league :)

ted knott, droylsden (18/08/2008 at 15:43)

Chris from Ireland, your last sentence says it all --- ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY REALLY! YES Iam a City fan but apart from it being all about money dont you think Ferguson's obsession about emulating Liverpools title successes may have something to do with it as wel? Remember SAF has stated he is retiring in two years time so he wants to go out having at least emulating LFC's proud record blooding Campbell or any other budding youngste might hamper that desire - dont you think this is being a bit selfish and furthermore dont you thing SAF is just feeding his own ego? Know something Chris Sir Matt Busby fell into a similar trap in the early seventies.........

trevorbutd53, Newton Abbot,devon. (18/08/2008 at 16:07)

i have seen frazier campbell playing in all the pre-season games on MUTV and yesterdays draw with newcastle and i can't say i have been impressed with his general play.he makes poor decisions,his first touch is poor,he is too slow in pace and thought and he can't hold the ball up.perhaps a season long loan to hull would help him improve at premiership level.i hope berbatov signs soon.i think he could have the same affect that cantona had on united.

Lord Ruud (18/08/2008 at 16:29)

I think he will come eventually and is the logical signing, although anyone know what Fergie was doing at Goodison park on Sat, seeing as we don't play Blackburn or Everton for a while? Hopefully he wasn't looking at Santa Cruz.

()

Report

Manchester United