PSG told Berbatov not for sale
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Your support makes all the difference.Sir Alex Ferguson has told Paris St Germain they have no chance of signing Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.
In the immediate aftermath of his omission from United's Champions League final squad, it was felt Berbatov would leave Old Trafford this summer.
Even Ferguson has admitted it would have been no surprise if the Bulgarian had asked for a move.
However, during United's summer tour of North America, Berbatov claimed he still had unfinished business at the club and felt any move away from the Barclays Premier League champions would represent a step down.
That did not stop PSG making their interest known and, backed by an influx of money from their new Qatar-based owners, felt there was a good chance of luring Berbatov to France.
It took a quick conversation between Ferguson and PSG coach Leonardo to end that hope.
"I had Ferguson on the phone but he said he was counting on Berbatov and he was not for sale," said Leonardo after his side's 2-1 win over Valenciennes yesterday.
Although Berbatov did not start last week's Premier League opener at West Brom, his introduction as a second-half substitute did help inspire United to a 2-1 win.
And, with Javier Hernandez still ruled out as he completes his recovery from concussion, it would be no surprise if last season's joint Golden Boot winner was named for tonight's Old Trafford encounter with Tottenham.
United will hope to win in order to keep pace with Manchester City's flying start to the new season.
Yet, after securing their 19th championship with only 80 points last term, in his programme notes ahead of this evening's encounter, Ferguson has suggested the number may once again be lower than the 90 that tended to be the target in previous years.
"It seems to me that the Premier League will be tighter than ever this season," Ferguson told United Review.
"We play in a strong league and it is getting stronger.
"I guess around 85 points will win it, maybe even 80 again, though we will certainly be looking to improve on that total."
PA
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