Manchester United Want Pace - Not Berbatov

Manchester United will be bidding farewell to their record signing this summer, as Dimitar Berbatov's agent Emil Danchev confirmed that the future of the team does not involve the Bulgarian striker.

Danchev explained that Berbatov, or "Mitko" as he is known in his native Bulgaria, is embarrassed by the huge wages he is recieiving for not playing any football for United, but he is not one to make a fuss like a previous Manchester United employee in Carlos Tevez is renowned for. Instead, Berbatov has and will continue accept his position at Old Trafford until the summer when he will be free to talk to clubs about a move away from England:

"We accept that Sir Alex Ferguson is [building] his next Manchester United for the next three to four years and the future of Manchester United is not related to Mitko."

Another reason for Berbatov's absence from the team is that Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to add pace to the team. As competitors for a starting place up front at Manchester United include Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, who all have pace and energy in abundance, Berbatov's incredible technical ability is, although a joy to behold, surplus to requirements. Danchev said:

"Sir Alex wants to change the style of play of United, to put more speed in the game. I wanted Manchester to announce that if any team that wants to go for Mitko, they will sit down and negotiate. Mitko must endure this situation. It is not his style to start making scandals like Tevez."

 "Up against Chicharito [Javier Hernandez], [Wayne] Rooney and [Danny] Welbeck, [Berbatov is competing with] talented forwards. The only thing all those players have more of than Mitko is speed. Berbatov is more technical."

"It is not by way of punishment that [he has been] left outside of the [main] group and it is not Scottish stubbornness [on Ferguson's part]. Ferguson has lost [out in] domestic cups, the Champions League and Europa League this season and I think it will be very difficult to defend their title in England."

Manchester United, Dimitar Berbatov and his representatives all seemingly share the same mind set, and are willing to help each other out to reach the best outcome for both the club and the player. United will allow offers to come in for the 31 year-old forward and will not block any moves or make life difficult for a striker who has been loyal and delightfully uncontroversial since his move to United in 2008. His agent continued:

 "I was pleased by [Ferguson's] assessment of Berbatov. The position of the club is: 'We will not interfere. We are open to offers and if one comes in then we will not make difficulties.'"

"At a recent meeting, Mitko said: 'I am not getting enough playing time. I want to play [in] my last years. I am uncomfortable [because] I'm getting money, but [am not] working.'"

"Money has always been of secondary importance to Mitko. He just wants to play. I [don't know] why Ferguson took time to [reach this position]. In the three [earlier] meetings he promised: 'Yes, you will have the chance to play. I can not guarantee a start but you will play'."

Berbatov has played only 10 League games this season, many of them being from off the bench - and that is despite being Manchester United's top goalscorer last season. His style has unfortunately not suited United's all out, free flowing, pacey attacking play, which has left him out in the cold for most of the season.

The Bulgarian is something of a fan favourite at United, and all at the club wish him well for the future which, wherever he ends up, will undoubtedly provide and produce moments of beauty with a football at his feet and plenty of goals too.

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Finding a New Club Easy for Berbatov

Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson made it very clear during the summer that they had no intention whatsoever of selling Dimitar Berbatov. A number of clubs may have shown an interest, but for both the club and the player, it was irrelevant as both wanted the same thing - for him to stay.

However, Berbatov's contract does run out at the end of this season; June 2012. The player is living his dream to play at Old Trafford, but if he is not offered an extension to his current contract, there is little the 30 year-old striker can do but to find another club to play his football.

According to his agent, that will be no trouble at all. His outstanding technical ability, beautiful touch and control of the football and incredible composure on the ball have been clear for all to see since he joined United for just over £30 million in 2008, and if United do decide to wave a grateful goodbye to Berbatov at the end of the season, it is this quality which is not worrying Emil Dantchev at all. He said:

"We have to accept the reality of the situation, but make us an offer and we will accept, or if not, we’ll go."

"Have patience though, knowing the quality of Berbatov, I’m not worried about him if we have to find another club."

After a slow and critical start his career at Manchester United, Berbatov has scored 47 goals in 134 appearances including that wonderfully crucial hat-trick against Liverpool in September 2010. His unique style of play might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has been effective in many United games over his short career in Manchester.

The Bulgarian has very much grown on United fans, with many feeling a great deal of sympathy for his lack of playing time this season when you consider he was the clubs top scorer last season as well as the Premier League joint golden boot winner.

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Berbatov Should be Sold if £15m Bid is Offered

Dimitar Berbatov is a fantastic football player and a top professional for Manchester United. That much has been confirmed in the crazy season the Bulgarian has experienced at Old Trafford, from the highs of scoring some fantastic goals on the way to becoming the Premier League's top scorer to the low of being left out of the Champions League Final squad. However, despite affirming his commitment to Manchester United for next season admirably, it has been revealed that Berbatov will not be signing an extension to his contract at United.

With only one year left, Sir Alex Ferguson offered Berbatov a one year extension to his contract before the Champions League Final, and Berbatov did not sign. He said that he is happy to stay at Manchester United, fight for a first team place and ride out the rest of his £80,000 a week contract to allow him to leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.

Now, however much you like Berbatov for his graciousness and the certain vulnerability he showed when he told the world of the shame that came over him from being left out of the Champions League Final squad, you cannot see leaving the guy in the squad for a year only for him to leave for a free a good deal for the club. Berbatov cost the club £30 million plus Friazer Campbell on loan - he didn't come cheap, and it was a last minute deal involving a lot of stress and strained relations with Tottenham. Surely United must take some money from a sale rather than just release him?
Berbatov said on Bulgarian TV:

"I will stay, I will fight for the 20th title. If I were an easy quitter, I would never have made it this far. Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4."

"There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. When you go through difficult times, you should not quit."

Okay, he will not quit, but he will not commit either, according to Goal.com, so it is not a great situation for United if they want to take in some money from his sale. PSG have apparently opened the bidding for Berbatov at £13 million, and there are several clubs interested in his signature, including Bayern Munich, and some have even said Tottenham.

Manchester United may be able to offload Berbatov to his former club Tottenham in some sort of player plus cash exchange for Luka Modric whom United have reportedly made their prime target, though Tottenham are far from willing to let go of him at any price.

Don't get me wrong, I would love Berbatov to stay if he was signing a new contract - a one year extension, I simply object to United allowing him to run down his current contract and allow him to go for free when you consider how much was paid for him. I hope that if Berbatov truly has decided not renew his contract or extend it, then any offer for him is very seriously considered.

With Owen recently signing an extension, Welbeck and Macheda returning to fight for a starting place with Rooney and Hernandez, competition is going to be increasing tough, so, it pains me to say it, perhaps Berbatov leaving wouldn't be such a bad thing in terms of the young players chances in the first team.

I trust Sir Alex Ferguson to make the right decision on the matter, and whatever happens to Berbatov, I am very grateful for what he has done at United, especially this season. He is a model professional and a quality footballer, and he still has game in him - whether he chooses to play them at Manchester United is another matter.

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A £20 Million Bid for Berbatov Should be Accepted

You could say that Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney are like beauty and the beast. Watching the Bulgarian with the ball at his feet is a joy to behold, as he effortlessly glides past players with the silky skills of a suave, smooth and polished perfectionist. Meanwhile, Rooney charges around, with his undoubted quality, bullishly tracking back, rocketing cross field passes and sometimes getting involved in incidents he really shouldn't be.

You wouldn't, for example ever see Dimitar Berbatov screaming obscenities into a television camera after scoring a goal. That isn't his style, but both players are undeniably Manchester United quality, and are both passionate about their football.

However, the rumours circulating claim that Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to sell the "beauty" of this pairing for an amount in excess of £20 million. Manchester United's top scorer, who is also the Premier Leagues top scorer with 20 goals, seems to have fallen out of favour with the United manager as his starts in games have become all to infrequent. Javier Hernandez's growing reputation as a guaranteed goalscorer at important times has seen him propelled into a starting spot alongside Rooney, whose place in the team seems more or less guaranteed.

Bayern Munich have apparently noticed this, and will reportedly attempt to persuade Berbatov to come back to the country where he made his name - with Bayern Leverkusen. The Germans are supposedly preparing a £22 million bid for the striker who was bought by United in 2008 for £30.75 million.

After two seasons which saw the Bulgarian score a total of 26 in 86 games, he was labelled rather harshly as "Berbaflop". He had cost a lot of money, and at his age, (now 30), it was beginning to look like a bad buy from Ferguson. This season has proved all of his critics wrong, with a stunning total of vital goals in vital games including a hat-trick against Liverpool. He has now almost scored the same amount of goals this season than he did in his firs to season's at Old Trafford, yet starting games is becoming a rarity.

I like Berbatov - he has grown on me - especially this season, but I think if United are offered £22 million like is being reported, then Sir Alex should take it. It would be sad to see Berbatov go after what he has done for United this season, and his incredible touch and fantastic hold up play will be missed by many. His calm, collected figure will be missed too, but at his age, £22 million is a fantastic deal, and one that will not be equalled in the future if this opportunity is passed.

United could use the money this summer to sign a younger striker or midfielder, someone who can contribute to the team for many years to come. A central midfielder is what is needed, and a player similar to Owen Hargreaves who is the engine of a side.

It will be sad to see Berbatov go. He is a brilliant player, with a unique style. Strong when he needs to be, quick when he wants to be, and deadly in front of goal - always.


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