Fergie's Man Utd blunders: Rafa in, Berbatov out

Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov celebrates after scoring a goal. (AFP)

Published Tuesday, June 19, 2012

By Staff

Sir Alex Ferguson may rue losing out-of-favour Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov who is being wooed by cash-rich Spanish club Malaga.

Berbatov was sidelined for much of the season by Ferguson despite a stuttering campaign.

Malaga offers the United star a route back to Champions League.

The big-spending Spaniards, backed by a Qatari sheikh, want to sign a high-profile striker this summer in preparation for their first foray into Europe's elite competition.

They are ready to move for Berbatov or Schalke's £18m-rated Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 28, according to the Daily Mail.

Berbatov, 31, would be available for considerably less with both United and the player accepting that he has no future at Old Trafford.

On the flip side of the coin, Ferguson must be relieved that defender Rafael is set to sign a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2016.

Rafael won his first senior cap for the Brazil national side last month and the 21-year-old's agent, Cassiano Pereira, told Estadao ESPN: "Rafael is very happy to stay at Manchester United, who are one of the giants of world football and always play in Europe's biggest competitions.

"Manchester United are the club that opened the door to Europe for him. He is loved, respected and has prestige at the club.

"We are all very happy that he is renewing his contract."

The Brazilian full-back has made 90 senior appearances since his arrival in July 2008, and started the 2009 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome.

Rafael is due to be separated from his twin brother Fabio next season though as he is being lined up for a loan move to QPR.

But Ferguson seems to have faith in Rafael largely because of his attacking instincts.

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