Berbatov looks set to leave Old Trafford

Dimitar Berbatov looks set to be heading out of Old Trafford after taking to Facebook to declare ‘it would be better for everyone’ if he moved on elsewhere. The 31-year-old, who was joint top-scorer in 2010/11 found himself frozen out of the first team last season as manager Sir Alex Ferguson preferred Wayne Rooney and the more energetic pair of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez ahead of him.

Berbatov managed just 12 league appearances, scoring seven goals, a year after he was the Barclays Premier League’s equal top-scorer with Carlos Tevez. In his post on Facebook, Berbatov, admitted he would like to see out the final year of his United deal but that it was more likely time to move on.

“The truth is, I love this club, but I am not going to be useful to anyone if I am not playing. And I want to play, I want to help,” he wrote. “But for unknown reasons it’s not going to happen, or my chances will be limited, so it’s better for everyone if we say goodbye. If not, I am professional and I will keep doing everything I can to help my team and my team-mates, whenever I have opportunity to do so.”

Berbatov, who cost United £30 million four years ago, will not be short of takers. Reports have suggested that United have slapped a price tag of £10million on Berbatov’s head, although the striker claimed Ferguson had told him the figure was half of that amount. “Because I am tired of speculation, I am telling you this,” Berbatov said. “I read the papers and I see they say 10 million pounds is my price. I go and talk with Sir Alex, and he says to me 5 million. So who is telling the truth, what do you think??”

Berbatov has scored 48 league goals at United, helping them to two Premier League titles. However, his Old Trafford future has been in doubt since he was left out of the squad for the 2010-11 Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley. Despite slipping down the pecking order last year he reminded any potential suitors of his goalscoring class with a hat-trick against Wigan on Boxing Day, before adding two more in the unexpected home defeat to Blackburn five days later.

Berbatov is expected to receive numerous offers from home and abroad, his preference being to move oversea out of respect for United and Sir Alex Ferguson. Berbatov states he would be happy to see out his 5 year contract next season and fight for his place, but the likely solution is he will be heading elsewhere.