Dimitar Berbatov blasts Alex Ferguson

Dimitar Berbatov has launched a stinging personal attack on Sir Alex Ferguson over the way he was frozen out towards the end of his spell at Manchester United.

The Bulgarian striker joined Fulham for £5million on deadline day after Robin van Persie’s arrival at Old Trafford confirmed the end of Berbatov’s United career, four years after he became the club’s record £30.75m signing.

Berbatov claimed that he lost so much respect for Ferguson ‘as a person’ over the way he felt he was misled and mistreated that the 31-year-old could not bring himself to speak to the United manager when he left.

‘I said goodbye to the people who deserve it but I couldn’t say goodbye to Ferguson,’ said Berbatov. ‘I don’t think I deserved such treatment, not playing in the last year, because I was the top scorer.

‘I went more than 10, probably 15, times to ask the coach if they needed me. Every time I was told that I’m an important player and should not leave, but then again I was not in the team.’

A Premier League Golden Boot winner in 2011, Berbatov knew the writing was on the wall when he was left out of United’s squad for the Champions League final at the end of that campaign and then made just five league starts last season.

He believes his languid style of play no longer suited Ferguson, with Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez moving ahead of him in the pecking order.

‘Maybe I should have gone when he left me out of the squad for the Champions League final,’ added Berbatov. ‘I know he’s the boss but he has lost, to some extent, my respect because of the way he treated me.

‘He tried to explain to me that the team would be using a more direct style with more speed, but I’ve never been among the fastest players. I like to hold the ball.

‘I found it hard to accept his decision. I still have my dignity.

‘I’ll have no problems playing against United as this already happened in my career.’