Fergie: “Berbatov On His Way? No Idea!” Manutdblogger: “Pull The Other One!”
August 28, 2008
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Much of the ill-feeling generated by the Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga this summer revolved around one key incident just prior to United’s pre-season trip to South Africa.
Ferguson, you will recall, gave an interview to a Norwegian fanzine shortly before United departed, in which he allegedly mentioned Dimitar Berbatov by name as United’s number one transfer target.
The Norwegian site ran the story and sure it enough it was splashed across the red tops’ online pages by morning.
Cue Daniel Levy fury.
The Spurs chairman riled by the impending loss of Robbie Keane and the pursuit of Berbatov, took it upon himself to despatch his dossier to the FA citing the misdemeanours of certain clubs - particularly United.
The cornerstone of Levy’s criticisms, the intended piece of key, damning evidence if you like, was the quote attributed to Ferguson about United’s plan to sign Berbatov.
Now, as you probably recall, there was only one problem with that line of attack - Fergie flatly denied ever having made those comments.
Steinar Madsen, the webmaster of the Norwegian fan site explained the misunderstanding to the Aftonposten newspaper:
“A feather has become 35 hens here. It might seem like we are to blame for what has happened. We are to the blame in the sense how the interview was presented. Ferguson didn’t mention the name Berbatov when he was interviewed by us. I would call it a misunderstanding. It was tricky conditions for the interview. As journalists, you have probably experienced this yourself, how it is to listen to the tape afterwards.”
Whether or not that was a piece of generous ass-covering by the clever Norwegian or genuinely an example of setting the record straight, is a matter of speculation.
Either way, Levy’s case appeared to be instantly weakened and the FA declared the dossier inconclusive.
Levy may well have been left will egg on his face by that turn of events and that partly explains his indignation and the desire to put one over on United, but Ferguson learned an important lesson too.
That lesson was that if United were to get anything from the Berbatov pursuit they had to tread as cautiously as possible with Spurs when speaking to the media, and had to reveal as little as possible even when there were developments - hence the succession of blandishments from Ferguson since then.
Whether or not this ‘blanking’ policy makes any difference to the media’s insatiable appetite for the tiniest crumbs of novelty in this story, is moot. Like a bored child on a long car journey, the press boys just can’t stop asking: “Are we there yet?”, even though they’ve been answered a dozen times already.
It’s with that knowledge in mind that we should probably interpret Ferguson’s latest pronouncements on the Berbatov issue:
“I’m less optimistic so we’ll carry on. I’ve no idea what’s going on. It’s very hard to get communication with some people in life.”
Doubtless, communication between the clubs is less than cordial, but we’d be surprised if Ferguson didn’t know precisely what is happening with the negotiations - he simply doesn’t want the press to know - yet.
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19 Responses to “Fergie: “Berbatov On His Way? No Idea!” Manutdblogger: “Pull The Other One!””
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Same old s**t with you lot all well and good when you are disrupting other teams but do it to you (Real Madrid) and all hell will break loose you have been pursuing Berba for over a year now and i truly hope that we dont give in to that scottish red nosed hypocrite. The only reason the FA dont throw the book at you is cause of the money that you make the FA anyone else would have been carpeted i sincerley hope that you dont get your own way as per usual & Ronaldo f**ks off sharpish to Real so that you know how it feels.
Fergie’s little game will bite him in the ASS this time!! Who is desperate now, it ain’t Tottenham, We can sell him whenever this window or the next. Peeps trying to say Spurs have to sell to buy, ANSWER no we are the 11th richest club and have NO -dept we don’t need to sell anyone!!
Levy is annoyed that like Liverpool with Barry, you have successfully managed to unsettle the player (illegally) but without paying the asking price. Pay close to £30m and Berbs is yours - Liverpool paid the asking price for Keane and got the player.
Now Fergie has tried to paint Spurs and Levy in a bad light with the above comments plus the ‘ you know Levy - he’s different ‘ crap that he came out with after we reported Man Yoo.
For once you’re not getting your way and Fergie doesn’t like it - I suspect that with your current owners the money is not as forthcoming as it may have been in the past - but Spurs will not cave into the Press/United/Agent pressure and sell for less than Berbs is worth.
Pay up or shut up Man Yoo……
Man United and ferguson think they own the world of football, and that everybody must dance to their tune. Levy is showing them that its not a one man show. The bad people/persons in this whole saga are Man U, Berba and his git agent. Spurs have no wrongdoing and are within their rights to stand their ground.
I admire Levy for this.
Simple really, you want to buy something from us, we have given you a price, you either accept and pay, or decline and leave. But this being Man U, is a whole different story. You are bully boys who are finally discovering that the bullied are not scared anymore, and you don’t like it. Fergusons comments are from someone who really doesn’t know what is happening. I read elsewhere that spurs are considering loaning the berb to Barca for a season, with a view to buy for £20m next year. I would love that to happen. We get rid of the big sulk and you don’t get him. Excellent. Putting him in the reserves is another option that appeals (teach him a lesson) but that might reduce his value. I applaude Daniel Levy in his stance over this matter as well as Villa with the Barry situation. We are both clubs that are trying to break into the top4, how can we do that if the so called big4 keep unsettling and buying our best players.
Just because Ferguson denied mentioning names in that interview doesn’t mean it’s true, or has the possibility that a club might lean all over a club fan-site not occurred to you?
Teddy Sheringham, Michael Carrick, now Berbatov. If I was Levy I’d be sorely tempted to say to Man Yoo now: “Yep you can have the sulky git, but it’s gonna cost you £35m squid, take it or leave it, and either way this is the last time we do business with you northern monkeys for the forseeable future. Don’t waste your time and ours approaching us again, because we’re not selling you any more players.”
At least Liverpool were big enough to apologise and make a donation to Tottenham’s main charity, and Robbie Keane left the club with the best wishes - I’m sure - of most of the Spurs faithful. But Man Utd? Ahhh nah, you see it’s Man Utd who are “different” and as for Berbatov, he’s already shaping up to be a hate figure at WHL and he aint even out the door yet.
Up to now I’ve never subscribed to all that “Man U are scum” flannel, but I’ve switched camps now… you are scum and Levy’s right: you’re arrogant and hypocritical as well.
All spuds fans , stop bouncing on your middle finger. One word for you : Relegation. Berba better wait in reserves than put up with sh!t your club puts up every week.
yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Utd hyperbole.
One thing that really p’s me off is the pot and kettle attitude of fergie.
Fine tapping everyone else’s players, but not his own.
Then having the audacity to slag off spurs for making a complaint.
I agree with a previous poster. Didn’t really mind Manu until recently. Fergie not only needs to sort out his purple nose, but a bit of inner reflection wouldn’t go amiss!
I’ve no idea what’s going on. It’s very hard to get communication with some people in life.”- SAF
I was not aware that Spurs had gone ex directory? Perhaps Sir Red Nose is referring to the bankers he needs to speak to in order to get the club even further into debt?
Fergie is right about one thing though, Levy is different - how many other EPL chairmen have had the gumption to stick two fingers up at him?
hahaha
Bunch of spastics you spuds fans. It’s a wonder they can figure out how to breathe on their own. why should we give in to your stupid high demands of that prat levy? Even if we don’t get berbatov, its nothing for us to fret about, but for you spuds, you are left with an unhappy player and he will cost even less in the summer. and you only have darrent bent as your sole striker.
FACTS:
1: Berbatov IS for sale
2: Berbatov WANTS to join us
3: We WANT Berbatov
4: Tottenham ARE a selling club
5: Tottenham WILL NOT expend as much as they have without getting income
6: Tottenham WANT stupid money
7: We WON’T pay stupid money
8: No-one else is interested in Berbatov
9: A compromise WILL be reached Sunday/Monday
10: Berbatov WILL sign for us
num 7, Your Facts are all wrong. You assume to much, What gives you the impression that Spurs are a selling club,and espeically to you? IF YOU DON’T PAY WHAT WE WANT. YOU WILL NOT GET!! SIMPLE AS!! i LAUGH AT ALL YOU MANCS,RONALDO WILL BE GONE NEXT YEAR,HAHAHA!!
Some of these Spurs fans are hilarious. Levy shot himself in the foot from the moment he released that statement - he based a complaint to the premierleague, directly insulting our manager and club, on an article in the SUN. I mean…admit it, thats idiotic. The quote with Berbatov never happened, which is why the premier league aren’t going to find United guilty, they need a little thing called “evidence”, of which Levy has nothing. Other than that copy of the Sun, of course. Levy shot his load, said that Berbatov didn’t want to stay (thereby unsettling Berbatov further) and has dragged this on so long that you’re rushing out to buy players with a few days left of the transfer window, since your only fit and ready striker at the moment is Darren Bent.
Spurs need to get rid of Berbatov a whole lot more than Manchester United need him. He’s been villified for wanting to play champions league football, probably his last chance to do so, and yet Robbie Keane is still seen as saintly. Why? Because he isn’t as good as Dimitar Berbatov, and therefore commands a lesser fee. Keane handed in a transfer request yet he’s acted totally fit and proper here, right? Berbatov owes nothing to Spurs, he’s payed you back and more in terms of the money you paid for him, and they way he’s being treated, for feeling a bit depressed over not getting a move to the european champions, is a bit ridiculous. He’s 27, these opportunites don’t come around often, and I can understand him being a bit put out. He actually turned down a move to us two years ago, because he’d already agreed a move to you lot and thought it would be harsh on his part. Nice how he’s being repaid for that little bit of loyalty.
Even though I really do like him as a player and want him to join us, half of me wants your wishes to all come true, have United drop out of negotiations for him, and leave you with a player that has no desire to play for you, a contract running down, and you’ll end up £25m light. All because you wanted to get one over on Manchester United. Ha.
Daze - Are you a complete c**t? Do you really believe Daniel Levy would file a complaint soley based on a article in the Sun? I know things are bad up north but that shouldn’t affect your IQ! The case isn;t over they have asked for further evidence from BOTH parties. Also we don;t need to get rid of Berbatoss hence why we’ll let that dirty pr1ck rot in our reserves. Not every club is in as much debt as you!
HEINZ RING ANY BELLS?
Too saucy for ya’s ay? lol. COYS!!
FACTS:
1: Berbatov IS for sale
Not for much longer
2: Berbatov WANTS to join us
Tell us something we don’t already know
3: We WANT Berbatov
You won’t in 6 months
4: Tottenham ARE a selling club
Every club buys and sells, it’s called BUSINESS you muppet
5: Tottenham WILL NOT expend as much as they have without getting income
See above
6: Tottenham WANT stupid money
F*ck off then
7: We WON’T pay stupid money
See above
8: No-one else is interested in Berbatov
Given his attitude, go figure
9: A compromise WILL be reached Sunday/Monday
Levy’s playied you like a fiddle
10: Berbatov WILL sign for us
See above
Well said Steerpike!!
go fcuk yourself number7
How Ironic, number7 - how much does united’s number 7 want to stay?
FACT
NOT MUCH