"I want the Champions League" – Berbatov

In May the Red Devils pipped Chelsea to the domestic and European trophies, a feat the languidly brilliant Bulgarian – then at Tottenham – is desperate to emulate.

During an exclusive interview in the latest issue of FourFourTwo, released today, Berbatov outlines his ambitions at Old Trafford.

“Manchester United belong in the Champions League. They are the champions and they have a great history," says Berbatov. "Last season, (United) won the Champions League and Premiership which is a dream come true for every player, but I missed it. Now I’m here, I want that too."

“To be part of this team, coming from where I come from, a small country, it’s great for me. In two years at Tottenham I achieved a lot, but now I have moved on and I’m now here, and this is the biggest club in the world.”

The 27-year-old has averaged a goal every other game throughout a career that began at CSKA Sofia and took in Bayer Leverkusen on the way to Spurs, where he grabbed 46 goals and 22 assists in his first two seasons.

Once the darling of White Hart Lane, Berbatov angered Tottenham fans when he pushed for a move to Old Trafford in the summer. In the dying seconds of the transfer window he eventually got his way and the protracted £30.75 million move to Manchester United was completed.

But the No.9, who has scored seven goals in all competitions for United this season, is keen to smooth over any soured relations. The Bulgarian striker thanked Spurs for showing faith in his ability, but admitted the lure of working with Sir Alex Ferguson proved too strong in the end.

“Tottenham gave me my chance in English football, gave me a chance to show my quality," he says.

"I really appreciate everything they did for me and I want to say a big thank you. But in the end I had to move, I just wanted to improve. When they told me that Sir Alex wanted me, my answer was ‘yes’.”

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For more, see FourFourTwo magazine, out now. If quoting, credit FourFourTwo magazine and link to this story.

The new issue of the magazine also includes exclusive interviews with Robinho, Russell Brand and Woking boss Phil Gilchrist, among many others.

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