Berbatov | Fulham player

Could it be the case that SAF tried to sell him out but the Bulgarian insisted in remaining here and fight for his place?

The way Berba was treated this year reminds me alot of how Yorke was treated a couple of years back. SAF's wanted to sell him up to free some space for Di Canio. Everything was set up (the official mag had already designed the cover showing Di Canio as a United player) only for Yorke to pull the plug on any deal by refusing to leave United. Bottom line of the story, Yorke was given the cold shoulder from SAF and he was never given a realistic chance to win his place again.

Good point. Possibly very likely.
 
Fergie got it wrong last summer in that he should have flogged Berba for 15 Mils as he was on fire and should have spent the money on a central midfielder possibly.
Berba like Veron just never fit in here and might be considerably more difficult to flog him for any decent amount of cash this summer
It's possible that Fergie tried but Berb refused a move because he wanted to run down his contract. That way he's on a free and United get zilch for him. We don't know what, if anything, may have gone on behind the scenes but if Berb felt badly treated for some reason this may be his way of repaying their kindness.
 
Could it be the case that SAF tried to sell him out but the Bulgarian insisted in remaining here and fight for his place?

The way Berba was treated this year reminds me alot of how Yorke was treated a couple of years back. SAF's wanted to sell him up to free some space for Di Canio. Everything was set up (the official mag had already designed the cover showing Di Canio as a United player) only for Yorke to pull the plug on any deal by refusing to leave United. Bottom line of the story, Yorke was given the cold shoulder from SAF and he was never given a realistic chance to win his place again.

I always thought something like this would be the case. I imagined though that any teams who came in for him last season were scared off by a £15m price tag and £100k+ a week (as I'm sure could be the case this Summer, even if the initial fee will be less).

It's backed up by the fact that there wasn't anyone seriously linked with him last Summer, you heard stories regarding inquiries etc but they seemed to die a death quite fast.

I just hope his wage demands won't stutter any moves for him this season, would be a terrible shame seeing another season of him barely featuring.
 
Could it be the case that SAF tried to sell him out but the Bulgarian insisted in remaining here and fight for his place?

The way Berba was treated this year reminds me alot of how Yorke was treated a couple of years back. SAF's wanted to sell him up to free some space for Di Canio. Everything was set up (the official mag had already designed the cover showing Di Canio as a United player) only for Yorke to pull the plug on any deal by refusing to leave United. Bottom line of the story, Yorke was given the cold shoulder from SAF and he was never given a realistic chance to win his place again.

Didnt the PSG manager come out and say that they wanted Berba but United told them he wasnt for sale? They arent a club who'd have been put off by a 15mil valuation or 100k a month.

As i see it, SAF like all of us, did not predict Welbeck to fit in as seamlessly as he did. With chicha just in his 2nd season, i totally understand him not letting go of a senior striker. As it turned out, Welbeck fitted in like a glove and with Rooney playing almost all games, berba couldnt get much of a look in.
 
As i see it, SAF like all of us, did not predict Welbeck to fit in as seamlessly as he did. With chicha just in his 2nd season, i totally understand him not letting go of a senior striker. As it turned out, Welbeck fitted in like a glove and with Rooney playing almost all games, berba couldnt get much of a look in.

The reason I don't think this is the case is because even when Welbeck and Hernandez were going through a bad run of form (almost at the same time), Berbatov still did not get a run of games.

It was also apparent from first game to last that he was a backup at most (after Welbeck's injury vs Arsenal, Berbatov still only started 1 of the 4 important games).
 
The reason I don't think this is the case is because even when Welbeck and Hernandez were going through a bad run of form (almost at the same time), Berbatov still did not get a run of games.

It was also apparent from first game to last that he was a backup at most (after Welbeck's injury vs Arsenal, Berbatov still only started 1 of the 4 important games).

Yes because he'd hardly featured till then. It'd have been a risk putting him in after him not having played many minutes. Also, i dont think SAF trusts Berba for the big crunch games really. that must have played a part.
 
Was thinking if Kagawa makes us switch to a 4231 or the like, Berbatov is a pretty useful sub to put in for the Japanese player.

Would give us Rooney, Welbz and Chica for the out and out striker role, and Berbs, Giggs and Kagawa for the AMF position.
 
Yes because he'd hardly featured till then. It'd have been a risk putting him in after him not having played many minutes. Also, i dont think SAF trusts Berba for the big crunch games really. that must have played a part.

Hernandez had hardly featured either (after his busy Summer), but he was trusted. The first game (the 8th) Berbatov started was the same game as Owen, Fryers, Amos, Fabio, Diouf and Macheda. I think Fergie's intentions were pretty clear from the get-go. He had to perform very well in his limited opportunities to command a starting role, which he did but very sporadically (a common theme for his time here). I think from Fergie's perspective he'd be given up-teen opportunities undeservedly to prove himself in the first 2-3 years and out of those opportunities he only performed probably 1 in 4, usually against poorer opposition at home.

From the manager's actions it seems unlikely that Berbatov was in his primary plans last season (because of the previous three). It is also unlikely that with our strict wage budget that we were happy to pay a 6 figure weekly salary to a backup player.
 
Paddy Crerand seems to think Sir Alex has said he'll stay for the final year of his deal - but Stewart Gardner tried to correct him by saying that would only be if no team came in for him.

Sounds like neither knows anything useful, but at least Berba's been mentioned.
 
Would be a shame if he stays and doesn't get any game time, a big waste of his talent and he's not getting any younger.
 
Well this has popped-up on Twitter:

ManUtd Stuff ‏@ManUtdStuff
Galatasaray president on Berba: "The Bulgarian is a great forward. I want him to join us but, of course, the coach has the final word."
 
Paddy Crerand seems to think Sir Alex has said he'll stay for the final year of his deal - but Stewart Gardner tried to correct him by saying that would only be if no team came in for him.

Sounds like neither knows anything useful, but at least Berba's been mentioned.

If no other team comes in for him, or at least no top team, whats the conclusion?

Very high wages or the better clubs dont rate him at this point?
 
Fergie always want players who want to be at United to stay. The classic problem is that if you are fourth choice, then you wont play much or at all. If Berbatov is unhappy at not playing but doesnt want to leave, Fergie wont have objection I think.

I prefer him to stay but I sympathize him if he does though.
 
If no other team comes in for him, or at least no top team, whats the conclusion?

Very high wages or the better clubs dont rate him at this point?

It's almost certainly the wages to how much they rate him ratio. If he were on £50-60k a week there'd probably be 6-7 clubs in the Premier League alone chasing him.
 
Nobody wants him.

Will be interesting to see how this turns out. Will he drop wage demands to play football?

If he stays with us next season he is officially Winston Bogarde part 2.

The lazy fecker.
 
Nobody wants him.

Will be interesting to see how this turns out. Will he drop wage demands to play football?

If he stays with us next season he is officially Winston Bogarde part 2.

The lazy fecker.

Well that's just bollox, isn't it?

Which is a bit of a theme when it comes to your contributions on this topic.
 
SAF played a bad hand by keeping him last season even though he had little intention of using him.

Berba can play his card by refusing a transfer and digging his heels in. Not many clubs can afford a transfer fee plus £100k a week for a 31/32 year old.

I think the chances of him leaving are dwindling.
 
It's crazy that he hasn't already been snapped up. He could do a job for anyone for at least another two seasons, including us if asked to. Like Teddy, you'll never have to worry about him losing his pace.
 
Last couple of comments are unfair on him. A player his quality and transfer fee is a good investment at 90k pw

Well why aren't clubs banging the door down for him?

There are a fair few clubs in Italy and Germany I felt would be after him. If not them, then the likes of PSG, Malaga or Galatasaray.

Honestly I was expecting almost a bidding war between these sides for his signature.
 
The transfer window just opened, there's still time for things to happen Randall. Please don't start talking bollocks again.
 
Well why aren't clubs banging the door down for him?

There are a fair few clubs in Italy and Germany I felt would be after him. If not them, then the likes of PSG, Malaga or Galatasaray.

Honestly I was expecting almost a bidding war between these sides for his signature.

Its the second of july. They will pursue younger targets first. But you expected a bidding war and since one hasnt occurred by the 2nd of july according to what we know hes not worth it?
 
Can't imagine it is more than 8mill. Should be no problem for a number of clubs around Europe and the PL.

Oh right. Randall Flagg off the internet reckons Berba's for sale for 8m quid. Cheap at the price, if you ask me.

Hopefully a few Directors of Football read this thread and we'll get an offer in the next week or two.
 
The transfer window just opened, there's still time for things to happen Randall. Please don't start talking bollocks again.

I don't talk bollox. Most things I've ever said about him and his signing have been proven correct, I'm still waiting for apologies from many posters in this thread.


Its the second of july. They will pursue younger targets first. But you expected a bidding war and since one hasnt occurred by the 2nd of july according to what we know hes not worth it?

I would have felt that he was the next best thing to a free agent and that clubs who wanted him would try getting it done as early as possible. Both the club and his agent have suggested he is on the way, not that it wasnt already obvious. He will be cheap and is in his early 30's.

Just because the transfer does not become official until July 1st does not mean it cannot be wrapped him up 40 or so days ago.

Oh right. Randall Flagg off the internet reckons Berba's for sale for 8m quid. Cheap at the price, if you ask me.

Hopefully a few Directors of Football read this thread and we'll get an offer in the next week or two.

I will be shocked if we get much more than that. I would say absolute max will be 12million. Only that if a couple of clubs go after him.
 
How are we going to get him out?

Leave a trail of fags, brylcream, couch potato accessories, tv remotes etc leading out of OT to a rich club? Perhaps Anzhi whatever-they're-called
 
Think he can do better than Galatasaray, but at the moment that's proving to be wrong.
 
“Nothing has happened with Dimitar and he’ll join the tour to South Africa and China,” the boss told MUTV. “He’s a fantastic footballer.

“It wasn’t a great season for him last season, partly because I settled more with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck... and Chicharito.

“I don’t think I treated Dimitar unfairly but he can feel disappointed that he didn’t get more football. He’s a fantastic talent.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F.../2012/Jul/dimitar-berbatov-remains-a-red.aspx
 
We should look to get him off the wage bill, even if it means selling him for less than he is worth.