PSG told that Berbatov is not for sale

Published Aug. 22, 2011 12:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Paris St Germain they have no chance of signing Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.

In the immediate aftermath of his omission from United's Champions League final squad, it was felt Berbatov would leave Old Trafford this summer.

Even Ferguson has admitted it would have been no surprise if the Bulgarian had asked for a move.

However, during United's summer tour of North America, Berbatov claimed he still had unfinished business at the club and felt any move away from the Barclays Premier League champions would represent a step down.

That did not stop PSG making their interest known and, backed by an influx of money from their new Qatar-based owners, felt there was a good chance of luring Berbatov to France.

It took a quick conversation between Ferguson and PSG coach Leonardo to end that hope.

"I had Ferguson on the phone but he said he was counting on Berbatov and he was not for sale," said Leonardo after his side's 2-1 win over Valenciennes on Saturday.

Although Berbatov did not start last week's Premier League opener at West Brom, his introduction as a second-half substitute did help inspire United to a 2-1 win.