'Sir Alex Ferguson broke his Liverpool promise to me after I signed for Man Utd'

Dimitar Berbatov was promised a week-long break by Sir Alex Ferguson when joining Manchester United - but a date with Liverpool was too vital to miss.

The silky, nonchalant Bulgarian made the switch to Old Trafford in 2008, completing his £30.75million deal on deadline day. He would become another piece in the Red Devils’ bid for a third successive Premier League title.

With their bitter rival Reds sitting on 18 total league titles and United's recent exploits under Ferguson raising them up to 17, another top-flight crown that term would have levelled up bragging rights - and the manager knew this.

As Berbatov’s deal was completed so late, the Scottish icon made a vow that he would let him have some time off before leaving the starting stalls. But after winning two and drawing one of their opening three games, a crucial trip to Anfield beckoned, and the new recruit simply had to be called upon.

"Sir Alex was with me when we were finalising the transfer, and it was so last minute, so worrying that it was happening so late, that he said: 'Berba, I know it’s stressful, what you’re going through, but, when we finish this, I promise you can have a week’s break so you can get yourself together,'” Berbatov told the United website.

"’Okay, that works.’ As soon as I signed, it was: 'Okay, get ready. Next game is Liverpool.' In my head, I’m like: Where’s my one-week break?!

"But that was all fine. As the game got closer, I could feel the excitement, the nerves, the tension. You start to get more and more knowledge about the rivalry and the history between the two clubs.

"The expectation of winning the game, of performing, it’s important. This is all building up until, on the day of the game, I stepped out on the pitch for the first time… and it was something new."

Flung into the starting lineup, Berbatov partnered Carlos Tevez up front, and it didn’t take long for the duo to come good. A mere three minutes into the battle, the now-43-year-old teed up Tevez for the opener, and Ferguson’s men had snatched an early lead.

However, this initial joy was short-lived. A Wes Brown own goal 24 minutes later levelled proceedings, and 13 minutes from time, Ryan Babel claimed all three points for the home fans.

Yet, Berbatov and United would have the last laugh. Even with Liverpool topping the table at the new year, Ferguson’s side would go on to win their 18th league title - pipping their rivals to the trophy by four points and swinging bragging rights the way of Manchester with a three-peat.