Dimitar Berbatov was made a promise by Sir Alex Ferguson when he joined Manchester United, but a crucial Liverpool fixture at Anfield meant the Scot quickly went back on his word
Sir Alex Ferguson used a clash with Liverpool as an excuse to break his promise of a week-long break to Dimitar Berbatov after the striker joined Manchester United.
The cool-headed Bulgarian made a £30.75million move to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day in 2008. He was seen as a vital addition in United’s pursuit of a third successive Premier League title, which would have put them level with historic rivals Liverpool’s tally of 18.
With Berbatov’s transfer from Tottenham being wrapped up so late, Ferguson assured the forward that he would receive some downtime before making his first appearance. But after the team won two and drew one of their opening three games, Red Devils manager Ferguson deemed a visit to Anfield far too important for Berbatov to miss, with the Scotsman going against his word.
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“Sir Alex was with me when we were finalising the transfer, and it was so last minute, so worrying that it was happening so late, that he said: ‘Berba, I know it’s stressful, what you’re going through, but, when we finish this, I promise you can have a week’s break so you can get yourself together,’” Berbatov told the United website.
“’Okay, that works.’ As soon as I signed, it was: ‘Okay, get ready. Next game is Liverpool.’ In my head, I’m like: ‘Where’s my one-week break?!’
“But that was all fine. As the game got closer, I could feel the excitement, the nerves, the tension. You start to get more and more knowledge about the rivalry and the history between the two clubs.
“The expectation of winning the game, of performing, it’s important. This is all building up until, on the day of the game, I stepped out on the pitch for the first time… and it was something new.”
Berbatov was thrown into the starting line-up, playing up-front alongside Carlos Tevez – and it didn’t take long for him to make an impact against Rafa Benitez’s men. Just three minutes into the heated affair, the now-43-year-old assisted Tevez for the opening goal, giving Ferguson’s side an early lead.
But their joy was short-lived. A Wes Brown own goal at the 24-minute mark levelled the score, and with just 13 minutes left, Ryan Babel clinched a win for the home side.
Berbatov and United would have the last laugh, however. Even though Liverpool led the table at the turn of the year, Ferguson’s Red Devils clinched their 18th league title, edging out their rivals by four points and securing a historic three-peat.
