FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER UNITED SNATCH BERBATOV

Berbatov has signed for Manchester United after weeks of speculation

Tuesday September 2,2008

By Julia White for express.co.uk

MANCHESTER United emerged victorious from a thrilling deadline day battle with rivals Manchester City for Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who had been tracking the striker for months, finally secured a deal worth £30.75million in the final moments of the transfer window.

But it wasn't a straight forward end to one of the summer's most drawn out transfer sagas, as City boss Mark Hughes launched an audacious bid for the Bulgarian yesterday afternoon.

This came after Abu Dhabi United Group announced they were to takeover the Eastlands club from current owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

City offered a huge £35m for the player but Tottenham were aware that Berbatov had his heart set on joining United and agreed terms for a four-year deal with Ferguson.

The Scot described the forward as a "key signing" for the club.

He said: “Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football.

“His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I am sure he will be a popular player with the fans.”

***FOR THE DEFINITIVE LIST OF DEADLINE DAY DEALS***