Former Manchester United striker Dmitar Berbatov has criticised Alex Ferguson's treatment of him while at Old Trafford and told a press conference in Sofia, Bulgaria and that he'd lost respect for his ex manager.
"I left according to me after a year during which I did not take part in matches. I felt bad, I think it was normal, after the season I had with the fact that I became top scorer on the team. But, it was the coach's decision, he explained to me that one way or another the team's play is changing with different tactics and game strategy. In any case, I have dignity as well, it was hard for me in a way, I did try to fight for my spot but in the end it didn't work out. But when I add up my goals in matches where I was a starter, there's nothing to be ashamed of. I became (a Premier League) champion twice, top scorer in the league, in general with Manchester (United) I reached the top of the game. In the end I said my goodbyes with everybody who deserved it and I'm going to go on with my life in a different place. That's a completely normal thing to do."
Berbatov, now at Fulham, adds if there were any goodbyes he says: "No. I didn't get a chance. It's nothing to worry about. People have their own problems, matches, et cetera. It can happen to anyone."
“Things happen quickly. You are not part of the kitchen, and things happen very quickly, you might have no opportunity to see each other, or you miss each other, or he's left somewhere, and so on and so forth. Even unwillingly, these things happen. I haven't had the opportunity to say bye to some of my teammates even, simply because when you are training some people leave in a hurry, you miss each other, you don't know where you are on the next day when the transfer window approaches. Things like that are completely ordinary, but we'll see, we might exchange letters, from Bulgaria: 'all the best' et cetera."
Berbatov explained what happened after being left out of the Champions League squad: "After that, after the final and after the summer I went to talk to him and said 'Am I necessary? Does the team need me?' Because he did not let me play I don't want to return. Don't tell me why it happened that way. 'Does the team need me, cause I want to play?' (and Alex Ferguson said) 'I need you. I want you to stay. You fight for your spot and if you deserve it you'll get the chance.' That's what I did. The chances I was granted: ten matches, twelve, thirteen, I scored nine goals, I didn't do too bad. Well, from that point on he makes the decisions. And that was that."
He made it quite clear why he stayed on after the Champions League final.
"The coach: Need me. We need you. You have to stay, I'm in Manchester United, the greatest team, a kind of hope builds again that if I fight for my starter spot maybe he's realised his mistake and might give me a chance to prove myself. It did not work out, maybe I should have left. Do I have to turn back? It's over."
When asked if there was any explanation why he was so mean, Berbatov said no.
"I've gone more than ten times, fifteen. In the end it would have got to be too much for anyone. I can't keep whining constantly 'Why? Why? Why?' He'd tell me to take a hike eventually. Right? 'I'm the boss. I make the decisions.' I did not get a reasonable explanation, but it might be his right not to give one, I don't know. I was not happy with that fact, since now I can't give you a reasonable explanation either. You are asking me, you are wondering, but I wonder as well, like everybody else. But from what other coaches have told me, for example Martin Jol told me that when they spoke, I simply don't fit enough in the concept for the new Manchester, which is speedier at play, it's more straight forward (direct), there is no time for intelligence, for thinking, for the beautiful pass. Simply it is to be at high speed. Maybe that's the reason I don't fit, because I have never been one of the quickest players. With the years I grow slower, hold on to the ball longer. That's my game and so I don't fit in this new team."
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