Dimi: I play to entertainNew signing Dimitar Berbatov explains why he shunned offers from United's rivals to wear the red shirt...
It feels fantastic to be a Manchester United player. It was along battle but in the end I'm very happy to be here at the greatestclub in the world. Hopefully I’ll play my part in the team and we winmany trophies as well.
I always believed I would end up here. I was going through verydifficult times but I always believed that things were going to happenand in the end they did. Now I'm the happiest guy in the world.
Thered shirt is a really, really big thing for me. The people around me,my really close friends know that I play to enjoy, to entertain thefans. I don’t play for the money. If I wanted to play for the money, Iwould accept Manchester City's offer or Chelsea's. I want to play forthe biggest club in the world and that’s why I’m here. I’m thankful foreverybody, for the help they have given me and for the work they did.
Ihope I can play my part and help United win more trophies becausethat's an important thing in football. And of course, I hope I’ll enjoythe football with the players we have here.
I’m 27 and now is my time. This is maybe the last step in my career.I’m at the biggest club in the world and here I can develop in the wayI want, the way I always wanted. That’s the most important thing for me.
Ihavebeen handling expectation and pressure through all my life. I’mnot scared, that’s why I’m here. The most important thing is to enjoymyself, to help the team win more trophies, entertain the fans and if Ido that, if I show my ability like I did at Tottenham, I don’t thinkthere'll be any problem.Our next game (Liverpool) is the type of gamewe live for. I think it's the biggest game and I can’t wait to play.
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Dimitar: Did you know?
Dimitar made his professional debut for CSKA Sofia in 1998/99 - also quite a good season for Manchester United.
Berbatov has been Bulgaria's Player of the Year four times - in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Dimitar'strack record includes goals for Tottenham against Arsenal (twice),Chelsea, Manchester City and United in last February's 1-1 league draw.
Berbatovalso scored against Liverpool while playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the2001/02 Champions League. Unfortunately he also helped Bayer to knockUnited out in the next round...
Boss excited by Berbatov roleSir Alex Ferguson described thesigning of Dimitar Berbatov as “a fantastic piece of business”, andwarned the rest of the Barclays Premier League that he now presidesover a great array of attacking talent.
Goals may not have been forthcoming for the Reds so far this season,but with Berbatov added to United’s ranks and last season’s 42-goalhero Cristiano Ronaldo edging closer to a return from an ankle injury,United’s attacking options look stronger than ever.
Berbatovscored 23 goals in each of his two seasons with Tottenham Hotspur, butSir Alex believes it is the Bulgarian’s all-round class and guile thatwill really enhance his squad.
“He’ll bring a bit of composure to our attack,” the boss told MUTV. “He’ll be a good focus for the team in terms of points of attack.
“It’sa fantastic piece of business by the club. We’ve signed a very cleverplayer; great vision, balance, he’s a good finisher and he haspresence. That’s not just in terms of his height, he’s got an overallpresence about him.
“He’s a big game player, there’s no questionabout that. His performances against us in the last couple of yearshave been very good. And given the fact our young forwards will beplaying alongside a 27-year-old, it gives us that little bit moreexperience in a vital area.
“Of course [goalscoring has been aconcern]. But we’ve got Ronaldo to come back and now we’ve got DimitarBerbatov, that gives us a great array of talent.”