Dimitar Berbatov to remain a Manchester United player and go on tour

Dimitar Berbatov is remaining a Manchester United player as it stands and will go the club's pre-season tour. Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV, quoted on the club website, that the Bulgarian is part of his plans ahead of the new campaign.



It seems a bit of a shock as the striker was expected to be leaving Old Trafford this summer. A move to Galatasaray had been rumoured and moved back into the spotlight yesterday as Bulgarian news agency Novinite quoted the Turkish club's president Unal Aysal as saying "The Bulgarian is a great forward. I want him to join us. Of course, coach Fatih Terim has the final word."



Of course Ferguson's comments could just be a message to Galatasaray and other interested clubs that United won't let Berbatov go cheaply, the manager said "Nothing has happened with Dimitar and he’ll join the tour to South Africa and China, he’s a fantastic footballer.



"It wasn’t a great season for him last season, partly because I settled more with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck... and Chicharito.



“I don’t think I treated Dimitar unfairly but he can feel disappointed that he didn’t get more football. He’s a fantastic talent."



The Bulgarian striker joined the Manchester club in 2008 after rejecting a last minute alternative transfer to rivals City. He'd excelled at Tottenham Hotspur but never managed to hit those heights with Manchester United but he certainly provided some sublime moments and memories and was top scorer in the Premier League the season before last.



Despite Ferguson's comments it will be somewhat of a surprise to see the striker start next season with Manchester United.