‘F*** off, we’re going to United’ - Dimitar Berbatov reveals what he told agent when Man City tried signing him in 2008

Berbatov's Bundesliga success at Bayer Leverkusen piqued Tottenham Hotspur's interest before joining in 2006, and he went on to score 46 goals in 102 games for the club under Martin Jol. After a string of impressive displays, Berbatov was eventually acquired by United in 2008 in a £30.7 million ($41 million) deal.

Berbatov soon became a United favourite as he scored 56 goals and provided 26 assists in his 149 appearances for the Red Devils. However, the Bulgarian has now revealed that things could have been different as he opened up on how rivals City attempted to sign him before the move to Old Trafford.

During an interview with The Telegraph, Berbatov said: "They wanted to sign me on the last day of the market.

"I told my agent 'F*** off, we’re going to United’. Because of the history, the prestige, the players, the manager, the shirt. I never had any doubt that Old Trafford was the right decision."

The Bulgarian also revealed that upon his move to United, Ferguson himself came to pick him up at the airport: "I was shocked because it can be intimidating and especially for me, stepping out the plane and bam you see Sir Alex. I was like, what do I say, how do I address him, will I look stupid? I had all these questions in my head, but he was great. He took us to Carrington and the drive in the car was like science fiction.

"I didn’t even know what to say. It was a perfect day. Exhausting, but perfect, because I had worked so hard to get there."