Dimitar Berbatov told his agent to "f*** off" when he was informed of Manchester City's attempt to hijack his transfer to Manchester United.
The retired Bulgarian striker, 43, moved from Tottenham to Old Trafford on deadline day in 2008 for a £30.75m transfer fee, while Fraizer Campbell went the opposite direction in a loan deal. But just hours before completing his move, Spurs had accepted a bid from City.
City - who are set to face the Red Devils in today's (Sunday) Manchester Derby - had finished two places ahead of Spurs in the previous 2007/08 campaign but a staggering 32 points behind their neighbours and Premier League champions, United.
Berbatov didn't even entertain the idea of discussing the potential move with then-City manager Mark Hughes. "They wanted to sign me on the last day of the market," Berbatov said to The Telegraph this year.
"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.”
Legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson greeted the striker at Manchester airport. Recalling the encounter, Berbatov said: "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."
Berbatov played under the Scotsman for four seasons, forging formidable partnerships up front with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. He netted 56 goals across 149 appearances, scooping up two Premier League titles before joining Fulham in 2012.
Yet, heartbreak struck in his final season at the hands of City when Sergio Aguero scored a goal that ripped the title from United in the dying moments of the 2011/12 campaign. Since Ferguson’s retirement, United's so-called 'noisy neighbours' have surged ahead, winning an additional seven league titles.
Their clash today comes at a difficult time for both Manchester clubs. Ruben Amorim's United find themselves lagging in 13th place in the league table. Meanwhile, an astonishing run of poor form for Pep Guardiola means City have managed only one win out of their past 10 games in all competitions.
United have unveiled their new adidas home kit with new front-of-shirt sponsors for the 2024/25 season - and you can get your hands on it right now.
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