Sir Alex Ferguson made me promise when I joined Man United - he broke it for Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson promised Dimitar Berbatov a week-long break when he joined Manchester United - but a fixture against Liverpool proved too crucial for the Bulgarian to miss.

The silky striker made his move to Old Trafford in 2008, completing his £30.75million transfer on deadline day. He would play a key role in United's quest for a third consecutive Premier League title under Ferguson.

With Liverpool sitting on 18 league titles and United just one behind, after Ferguson's recent success had taken the Red Devils up to 17, equalling the tally with another top-flight crown was a non-negotiable for the fiery manager.

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And with Berbatov’s signing from Tottenham being completed so late in the day, the Scot made a vow that he would let the forward have some time off before entering the fray. However, with United's season starting with two wins and a draw, the upcoming visit to Anfield was deemed too critical, and the new recruit simply had to be called upon.

Berbatov told the United website: "Sir Alex was with me when we were finalising the transfer, and it was so last minute, so worrying that it was happening so late, that he said: 'Berba, I know it’s stressful, what you’re going through, but, when we finish this, I promise you can have a week’s break so you can get yourself together,'

"’Okay, that works.’ As soon as I signed, it was: 'Okay, get ready. Next game is Liverpool.' In my head, I’m like: 'Where’s my one-week break?!'

"But that was all fine. As the game got closer, I could feel the excitement, the nerves, the