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.