'When he walked into the room, people would stop talking' - Berbatov on the Ferguson effect

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has spoken on the aura that Sir Alex Ferguson had around Old Trafford.

The Scot took charge of the Red Devils in 1986 and did not leave until he retired in 2013. During that time, he oversaw a period of unprecedented glory, leading the club to two Champions League titles as well as 13 Premier League crowns.

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Berbatov, who is now 36, was made Ferguson's record signing in 2008 when he arrived in a dramatic deadline day move from Tottenham for £30.75 million, and the former Bulgaria international striker has lavished praise on the managerial icon.

“When he walked into the room, people would stop talking,” he told ESPN. “He commanded so much respect and attention because of all the success he'd had. He was good with words, probably from all the books he read. I'd go to his office and he'd have Napoleon's biography on the table.”

When he heard that Manchester United wanted him, it was his sole aim to move to Old Trafford, even admitting that he turned down more money from City, the club Ferguson branded “the noisy neighbours”, in favour of their rivals.

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“When United wanted me I was like a horse with blinkers on. I was not interested in anyone else. City offered more money but the team was weaker and their history couldn't compete with United,” he said.

Indeed, leaving Tottenham for United appeared to pose no problems for him at all.

“When you follow your own path, you have to make decisions like this. I wanted to win trophies and play for the biggest club, and the biggest club in England is Manchester United,” he said.
 
“You can stay here in your comfort zone or make the next step in your career. It was not a difficult decision; Manchester United were the English and European champions, they had the best players, they had Sir Alex Ferguson and Old Trafford. How could I not be seduced?
 
“When I signed for United, I felt like it was a reward for everything that I'd been through in my life.”

Berbatov played 149 games for United and scored 56 goals before moving to Fulham.