Manchester United have
eased Dimitar Berbatov’s derby pain by opening new contract talks
for the Reds’ leading scorer.
It was a bitter-sweet derby weekend for the 31-year-old
Bulgarian.
On Friday his agent Emil Dantchev flew into England for a
face-to-face meeting with Old Trafford chief executive David Gill –
on the very same day Sir
Alex Ferguson delivered the news to the 20-goal
striker that he wouldn’t start against City on Saturday in the key
title battle.
On Sunday, however, it is understood that Dantchev and Gill held
their initial talks to discuss a new lucrative deal for
Berbatov.
The club’s record signing joined the Reds from Spurs in August
2008 and signed a four- year deal on his arrival.
That contract is up next summer and United are keen to tie
the player down to a new agreement.
Berbatov has enjoyed his best season at Old Trafford this
campaign and has already raced past his previous best United goal
tally.
His exceptional season, which has included hat-tricks against
Liverpool and Birmingham and a club record-equalling five against
Blackburn, puts him clearly among the favourites for the
prestigious PFA and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year
individual honours.
And Fergie is keen to recognise that and recently said a new
contract wasn’t an issue and would be sorted. The Bulgarian is on
an Old Trafford salary believed to be around £100,000 a week, but
having seen Wayne Rooney capture a new £250,000- a-week deal
earlier in the season, Berbatov could still expect to pocket an
extra £75,000 on his current earnings.Source: Manchester Evening
News
Despite being dropped for last weekend’s derby, Dimitar
Berbatov’s fine form this season has been rewarded with a bumper
new contract.
The new deal which will keep him at the club until 2014 will see
his wage rise from £100,000 per week to £175,000.
The interesting point here is the length of the contract being
offered.
It is usually Sir
Alex Ferguson’s policy to offer over 30′s a
one-year deal, as in the case of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
But the longevity of these Old Trafford legends has shown
Ferguson top stars can play well into their thirties.
But United fans do not be expecting any new deals to be offered
to Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand anytime soon.