Dimitar Berbatov has revealed SIr Alex Ferguson was so desperate to name him in Manchester United's starting XI to face Liverpool that the Scottish manager reneged on a promise of giving him a week-long break.
Berbatov became a deadline day signing on September 1, 2008, moving to Old Trafford from Tottenham in a £30million deal.
Twelve days separated the transfer and United's following game against Liverpool, but the forward was denied the week off training, an offering made during contract negotiations.
Nevertheless, the Bulgarian admits the intensity of the rivalry between the two clubs gave him motivation to spring into action at Anfield.
'Liverpool was the team we were trying to surpass on league titles when I got to Old Trafford. They had 18, we had 17,' Berbatov told the United website.
'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."
'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.'
Berbatov made an immediate impact on the match by providing Carlos Tevez with an assist as United took the lead within three minutes. But Liverpool claimed three points thanks to an own goal from Wes Brown and a Ryan Babel strike.
Liverpool completed the double over their rivals by recording an emphatic 4-1 victory in Manchester In March. However, the Red Devils were crowned champions in May, claiming their 18th top flight title.
Berbatov scored 56 goals in 149 United appearances between 2008 and 2012, winning nine trophies including the FIFA Club World Cup and three Premier League titles.