Berbatov's X-rated response to agent after suggesting Man City move over Man Utd

29 October 2023 , 07:15

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Dimitar Berbatov joined Manchester United in September 2008 (Image: DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Dimitar Berbatov bluntly told his agent to “f*** off” when he suggested he join Manchester City instead of Manchester United in 2008.

Berbatov moved from Tottenham to United on transfer deadline day on September 1, 2008 for a £30.75million fee. He went on to score 56 goals in 149 appearances for the club over the next four years, winning two Premier League titles.

United had chased Berbatov all summer, leading Spurs to complain about their aggressive approach. But he could have moved to the other side of Manchester, with City lodging a £30m bid on deadline day after announcing they were being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

City appeared to be in contention until Berbatov made his thoughts clear. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Bulgarian striker says he told his agent to “f*** off” when the option of joining Mark Hughes’ City side was broached.

“City never crossed my mind,” he added. “I was just imagining myself with the shirt, the badge, the trophies and playing with all of those players at the time. You forget everything else straight away. That was my only thinking, nothing else – trust me. A once in a lifetime opportunity and you need to grab it.”

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City were snubbed by Berbatov and instead signed Brazil forwards Robinho and Jo in the summer of 2008. The money from Abu Dhabi has helped City become one of the best sides in the world, but back then they were not competing in the Champions League and finished 10th in the Premier League in 2008/09 – a whopping 40 points behind champions United.

Dimitar Berbatov chose Manchester United over City (Tom Purslow/Getty Images)

City boss Hughes recognised they would struggle to compete with United for Berbatov’s services. "I would like the opportunity to talk to him but we haven't been afforded that opportunity," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The lad has made his intentions known for some time [playing Champions League football] and it might be difficult to change his focus."

Berbatov had spent two years with Tottenham after making his name with Bayer Leverkusen and he says the allure of United swayed him. “It's important that a player who is joining United needs to put it on himself to understand where he is going and what the history of the club is,” he added.

“To know who came before him and what they did, so he can respect the past to have a good future. If you have a chance to meet these legends, like we did with Sir Bobby or Eric Cantona or Peter Schmeichel, Bryan Robson, then you can get some of their desire and passion for the club.”

Felix Keith