Money was not a factor - Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov has insisted he did not join Manchester United for more money, but because they are "the biggest club in the world".

United signed the Bulgaria striker from Tottenham for £30.75m on Monday after a protracted transfer saga.

"If I want to play for the money, I would accept the Manchester City offer or Chelsea," Berbatov told MUTV.

"The red shirt is the really big thing for me. I want to play for the biggest club in the world."

United smashed their transfer record to sign the 27-year-old, with the deal finally being announced at 0040 BST, 40 minutes after the transfer deadline had officially expired.

The capture concluded a summer-long story, with Manchester City looking at one stage as if they were going to snatch Berbatov from under the noses of their cross-town rivals.

"I have handled pressure and expectation all through my life. I am not scared of it"
Dimitar Berbatov

The City offer was made after they announced they were in the process of being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, which purchased Brazilian star Robinho from Real Madrid for a British record £32.5m shortly before the transfer deadline.

However, Berbatov, who had also been targeted by Real Madrid, claimed he always wanted to join United and that it was possible he would stay at Old Trafford for the rest of his career.

"I am 27 now, I am at the biggest club in the world and maybe this could be the last step in my career," said Berbatov.

"I know I can develop here in the way I always wanted.

"I always believed. People used to say 'keep the faith'. I went through some difficult times and it was a long battle, but I always thought it was going to happen and in the end it did.

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"Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov - Is there a better attacking quartet? Now we are REALLY ready to attack European football like we have done domestically
"
LM

"Now I am here and hopefully I will play my part in the team and we can win lots of trophies as well. Trophies are an important thing in football and I want to help this team win more.

"I have handled pressure and expectation all through my life. I am not scared of it. That is why I am here.

"If I do that and play as I have done in my last two years at Tottenham, I don't think there will be any problem."

With World Cup qualifiers taking place this week and next, Berbatov must wait for his debut, but says he would "love" to play against Liverpool at Anfield on 13 September.

"We live for the big games and I think this is the biggest," said Berbatov. "I can't wait to play."

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