Soccer:Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United's record signing Dimitar Berbatov is set to leave Old Trafford in the summer. The €35 million forward has found first-team places difficult to come by since being left out of the United squad for last season's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
And, on the eve of a last-16 Europa League second leg tie with Athletic Bilbao, Ferguson confirmed the Bulgarian is set to leave in the summer. “His concern is not getting first-team football,” said Ferguson. “At 31, he is looking at first-team football. It is difficult for me to guarantee that so it could lead to him looking elsewhere.”
Berbatov’s contract is due to expire in the summer.
However, rather than let the former Tottenham man leave for nothing at the end of the season, they will trigger a one-way clause to extend the deal for a further year. That would mean United would get a fee for the player, who was linked with former club Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window.
However, the Red Devils hierarchy know they would get nothing like the mammoth sum they paid for the striker, whom Ferguson had such high hopes for when he arrived but has never quite managed to fulfil them, despite ending last season as the joint Golden Boot winner.
“We will be taking up the option on his contract but, having had chats with him, I understand he wants to get first-team football,” said Ferguson. “It is something we need to consider at the end of the season. For a player of his age and his ability it is disappointing for him that he is not getting first-team football.
“We will look at the end of the season but until then, he remains at United.”
Ferguson confirmed Berbatov is again set to miss out tomorrow as United look to overturn a 3-2 deficit from last week’s home encounter. “He could play tomorrow but I have good options in terms of front players with Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson has also confirmed midfielder Anderson will be out of action for between four and five weeks with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian has been plagued by fitness problems this season and was missing when Manchester United flew to Spain for their Europa League last-16 second leg tie with Athletic Bilbao.
United trail 3-2 from the first leg and Ferguson confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will partner Jonny Evans in central defence as Phil Jones (flu) is missing and Chris Smalling is only considered fit enough for the bench after reopening a head wound in the Old Trafford encounter last week.
