Berbatov signals United departure

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is upset over his treatment at Old Trafford and has confirmed he is looking to leave the club.

The former Tottenham man was brought to the club four years ago, but has struggled to earn a regular place in the team in recent times.

Despite finishing the 2010/11 season as United’s top scorer, the mercurial Bulgarian has featured mainly as a substitute over the past 12 months as his side finished the campaign empty handed.

Berbatov told Bulgarian television channel BTV: “My time at Manchester United is running out. I no longer feel like a valuable part of this team.

“I think I did well in the few opportunities that I received. But I am a little frustrated by the way this happened, I do not think I deserved it.”

The usually cool-headed striker seemed rather disgruntled with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and hinted that the veteran boss had misled him over his first-team opportunities this season.

“I’ve talked 10 times or even more with the manager and he always told me there would be a place for me in the team. But after that I continued to stay on the bench,” he said.

“But I have dignity and I stopped going to such meetings, it is clear that I’m leaving United. It’s obvious that I have to leave.”

Bulgaria’s all-time top scorer is likely to be highly sought after in the transfer market, but the former Leverkusen forward has not given any clues as to his next destination.

He did, however, dismiss the possibility of following ex-teammate Carlos Tevez’s lead in joining cross-town rivals Manchester City, who pipped United to the Premier League trophy earlier this month.

“I’m looking for a new place now, I know I can still play at the highest level,” he said.

“I would never join Man City, I am a loyal person after all. I had the opportunity to sign for City in the past, but I chose United.”