Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov won two Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford
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Dimitar Berbatov pictured ahead of the Europa League final
Dimitar Berbatov pictured ahead of the Europa League final
(Image: PA)
Manchester United favourite Dimitar Berbatov will remain neutral tonight as the Reds take on his old club Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Berbatov began his Premier League career with Spurs and was part of the team that won the last trophy, the 2008 League Cup. However, after looking destined to move to Manchester City, the Bulgarian U-turned to join United where he would have his most successful run.
He won two Premier Leagues, a further two League Cups and the Club World Cup before being sold to Fulham four years later. In total, he made 149 appearances for the Reds, scoring 56 goals and bagging 27 assists.
Meanwhile at Tottenham, Berbatov won less but his record was more impressive with 46 goals and 29 assists coming in just 102 matches. With his loyalties clearly split for the big match this evening, the 44-year-old told Sky Sports before joining the TNT Sports punditry panel that he will commiserate with whichever team ends up losing.
"Do I applaud or stay neutral? I am thinking what to do," he explained.
"We will see. For me, it is going to be tough to watch.
"I will sympathise with the loser because I have been there, winning finals and losing finals. Football will remind me again that there is so much joy but so much pain as well."
Despite sticking to the fence, Berbatov explained why he feels the match is so important for the Reds. "United have been struggling for years and that is painful, of course," he added.
"Everybody knows that - the fans, the management, the coaches and the players as well. That is why this game is so important, so they can say: 'Look, we are struggling but we still won a trophy.'"
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