That comment was taken by United as an invitation to
meet Berbatov without feeling they were breaking any Premier League
rules on courting other clubs' players. The Premier League said
yesterday no rules had been broken by United, because no complaint
had been made. Spurs were angry that Berbatov was met by United at
the airport, when they had agreed a fee with City.
The Londoners agreed to sell to United because of the player's
desire to go to the champions, Juande Ramos' preference for getting
a sulky player out of his dressing-room and because they needed a
replacement striker. As the midnight deadline loomed, United's
promising youngster, Fraizer Campbell, was the only option.
So Spurs yielded and agreed to drop their complaint over
United's conduct in return for £30.7 million for Berbatov and the
year-long loan services of Campbell. The figure was more than
United initially wanted to pay, negotiations having begun with the
champions offering £25 million, and Spurs may eventually view £30.7
million and a year of Campbell as good business with Berbatov so
desperate to leave.
"My only goal was to put on the red shirt,'' Berbatov told MUTV
yesterday. The money is not important. I can live well with
£1million, £10m or £500,000.” "It was a tough month. I lived
between euphoria and despair. I play to enjoy, to entertain the
fans, I don't play for the money. If I want to play for the money,
I will accept Manchester City offer or Chelsea, but no, I want to
play for the biggest club in the world.''
Berbatov also revealed he was stunned when United chief
Alex Ferguson picked him up from Manchester airport to start the
negotiations. The new United No 9 said: “I was shocked when I saw
him at the airport when he came to pick me up in his car.
"Everybody knows how big a coach he is. I saw what a
great man he is. "We spoke a lot in the car before we reached the
United ground. He told me he remembered my goals for Bayer
Leverkusen against United six years ago when we reached the
Champions League final.” Berbatov insists he can cope with the
heat.
United's chief executive, David Gill, admitted City's bid was a
surprise. "Yes it was, but the takeover at City and the subsequent
release of funds meant they were always going to be pretty active
on the last day,'' Gill said. "Were we worried? No, not really.
"The very fact that the player had made it clear throughout the
summer that he wanted to leave Tottenham to join Manchester United
for playing ambitions was enough for us. "He'd talked about his
desire to play in the Champions League and to join a club that was
challenging for major trophies. So we were quite relaxed about
it.''
Spurs were less relaxed. "It's no secret that relations between
the two clubs are not flourishing,'' Berbatov's agent, Emil
Dantchev, said. "City's offer was better in financial terms but he
[Berbatov] remained adamant and looked only in one direction.''
Transfer deadline day was a triumphant one for the
double-winners. City kept Robinho from the clutches of Chelsea,
United's main rivals, and word seeped out of Anfield that Fernando
Torres' hamstring problem ruled him out of the Sept 13 collision
with the champions. Louis Saha even passed his medical at
Everton.
“I hope my best years are ahead. I’m 27 and now it’s my
time. This may be the last club of my career and I’m at the biggest
club in the world. “When I sat in the offices of Manchester United
I could see the walls and off them were hanging the photos of the
great players who have played at Old Trafford.
“At that moment I could understand where I was and what
I have to do. My goal is to win everything with United. “It was a
euphoric moment but I have to keep my feet on the ground.”
Berbatov also insisted there was no feud between him
and Spurs chief Juande Ramos towards the end of his career at White
Hart Lane. Now he is looking forward to a debut against United’s
bitter rivals Liverpool next Saturday — and his old pal Robbie
Keane. He said: “Robbie and I are close friends. I wish him the
best at Liverpool and I’m sure when we meet we’ll recall our time
at Tottenham.
“Sir Alex told me my first game will be the biggest in
Britain against Liverpool. “For my debut, why not? These are the
games you live for, the biggest games. I can’t wait to play.”
46
Berbatov’s goal tally at Spurs, in 91 games after arriving from
Bayern Leverkusen.
1.67
His scoring rate of games per goal – 47 matches producing 28 goals
– for Bulgaria.
