Dimitar Berbatov has revealed the difficult conversation he had with Sir Alex Ferguson as he found out he hadn't made the squad for Manchester United's Champions League 2011 final defeat to Barcelona.
Despite enjoying a strong campaign which saw the Bulgarian net 20 goals in all competitions, Berbatov narrowly missed out on the final squad, with Ferguson opting for Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen instead.
Berbatov had not scored in seven appearances in Europe that season, but was nevertheless disappointed not to have made the cut. United went on to lose 3-1 to the Catalan club at Wembley.
And the former United and Spurs star has shared the difficult conversation he had with the legendary Scottish coach.
'It was just before the game, he called me and said "Berbs, it's killing me, but I need to leave you out,"' Berbatov told talkSPORT.
'So it was like that and it was painful to hear that because I was a goalscorer of the team and of the Premier League.
'I was surprised because I felt so confident if I can shoot from somewhere, it's going to go in. So that was a surprise for me, but in the end it was like that.'
Ferguson had previously admitted his talk with Berbatov was a difficult one, and that the striker took his decision badly.
'At Wembley, I dropped Dimitar Berbatov and he took it badly,' Ferguson said.
'He didn't deserve it. No player deserves to be left out of the final. That's why we try hard at these European seminars with the coaches to try to get 11 subs in the final.'
yodknostuy
1
Man U latest transfer Man U latest transfer
siralexferguson
0
y'all would have lost anyways, Barcelona kinda fears all red/wine not.... I guess Bayern munich in 2012(allienz) took inspiration from Wembley 2011 lool
if barca had pep and his players of 2011 in last season against you in semi finals he would have burned you to ashes that team was greatest in history and you r telling us that your 2011 squad would have defeated them if u were in our place
Faix_01
0
y'all would have lost anyways, Barcelona kinda fears all red/wine not.... I guess Bayern munich in 2012(allienz) took inspiration from Wembley 2011 lool
You would not have also won the ucl last season as well if you played against that prime Barca team.
jayford
2
he would have started nani and not Valencia in the attack and berbatov would have been there too for chicharito and even Paul scholes was suppose to start it would have been a tough gave having scholes giggs and park at the midfield while Rooney berbatov and nani at the attack while the defence would have been Ferdinand,vidic,evra and Valencia I believe we would have been on the scoresheet again with this formation
33274sam
1
That 4-4-2 killed us against Barcelona.
Cornell69
0
y'all would have lost anyways, Barcelona kinda fears all red/wine not.... I guess Bayern munich in 2012(allienz) took inspiration from Wembley 2011 lool
Kolextem69
2
I believe sir Alex Ferguson also regret that decision he made that year now .
lukzlat910
4
Should have brought him instead of Michael Owen.....shame...
Zemimruy
1
not a good call. Owen was the one to be left out with Hernandez being to there.. definitely favored he's British buddy