Fergie prepared to let Berba leave

Posted Thursday, March 15, 2012 by The Sun

Fergie prepared to let Berba leave
BERBAT-OFF ... Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to leave Manchester United

ALEX FERGUSON says he is ready to sell record buy Dimitar Berbatov.

The £30.75million striker admits he is suffering on the sidelines as Manchester United chase the title and Europa League.

While boss Ferguson insists they will take up an option to extend his contract by a year, that will not stop them from letting the Bulgarian hotshot chase first-team football elsewhere.

Ferguson said: "We will be taking up the option on his contract but I understand he wants first-team football.

"It's difficult for me to guarantee that so it could lead to him looking elsewhere.

"I'd listen to what he says. His concern is he's not getting enough first-team football at 31 years of age."

The contract extension is a one-way option on United's part and will be taken up so they can get some money back on the player but he is unlikely to leave for more than around £5m.

Berbatov has scored 56 goals in 148 games for United since joining from Tottenham on transfer deadline day in August 2008.

Last season he won the Golden Boot with Manchester City's Carlos Tevez for his 20 league goals.

But since halfway through last season he has struggled to get in the first team and even found himself left out of the Champions League final squad in May.

He is likely to be on the bench for United's Europa League last-16 second-leg tie at Athletic Bilbao tonight where they are are looking to overhaul a 3-2 deficit.