Dimitar Berbatov Joins Manchester United for £30.75 million

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Dimitar Berbatov will give Manchester United's attack a "new and exciting dimension" this season.

With Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined through injury, Ferguson is relieved to have finally recruited Berbatov, whose touch, vision and presence seems likely to complement the more dynamic talents of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

The Bulgarian has been a long-term target of the double-winners, who had an approach rebuffed last season. They reignited their interest this summer, as they looked to complete their striking options up front.

"This is a key signing," said Ferguson after United agreed to pay Tottenham £30.75 million for Berbatov. "Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I am sure he will be a popular player with the fans."

Ferguson's personal intervention was understood to have played a crucial role in the dramatic climax to United's long-running pursuit of Berbatov.

The deal was under severe doubt after Tottenham agreed a fee with Manchester City. But Ferguson drove Berbatov away from Manchester airport in his Bentley and eventually ensured the Bulgarian signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," said the 27-year-old forward.

"I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come."

Berbatov, 27, agreed to a four-year contract with United and Tottenham confirmed the deal on their website 45 minutes after the transfer window shut.

United submitted papers to the Premier League 40 minutes before the midnight deadline. The deal, which will see Fraizer Campbell move in the other direction on a season-long loan, was duly confirmed at 12.40am.

The fee is more than United had originally seemed willing to pay, chiefly because of City's audacious bid to sign the player yesterday afternoon.

Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, had reportedly agreed a deal of £35 million deal with City. But Berbatov's insistence on joining United, and the increased bid from Old Trafford, eventually allowed Ferguson to claim a small victory over City, in what is set to become a long-drawn out war for supremacy between the two clubs.

Spurs were greatly opposed to their approach for their star player and reported Manchester United to the Football Association accusing them of an illegal approach for the 27-year-old. Nevertheless, they remained at the front of the queue to land their man despite fleeting interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Mikael Silvestre Joined Arsenal from Manchester United

MANCHESTER United's French defender Mikael Silvestre has signed for Arsenal on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Silvestre had spent nine seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford but his move south to North London means he joins up with manager Arsene Wenger whose defensive options will have increased with his signature.

The United contract of the 31-year-old, who missed a large part of last season with knee ligament damage, was set to expire next season. He had been linked with a move to Bordeaux and Manchester City during the summer but opted to move to the capital city instead.

With his contract set to expire in 2009 Ferguson has allowed Silvestre - who is the first player to leave United for Arsenal since Brian Kidd 34 years ago - to join one of their major Barclays Premier League rivals.

Arsenal though are short on experience and Wenger cited Silvestre's ability to fulfil several defensive positions as the two factors behind the deal.

“We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael's versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season. His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it's a big plus that Mikael has top-level experience and a great understanding of football in the (Barclays) Premier League.” Wenger said.

Ferguson signed Silvestre from Inter Milan in 1999 after he began his career with Rennes who he left for the San Siro in 1998.

Silvestre enjoyed considerable success with the Red Devils and won four Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup winner's medal and a League Cup winner's medal in his 361 appearances with the club.

But his final season at United was hampered by a knee ligament injury sustained against Everton in September 2007 which restricted him to just six competitive appearances.

Silvestre, who has also won 40 caps for France and was part of the squad which reached the World Cup final in 2006, is looking forward to a new phase in his career.

Silvestre looks set to go in to the Arsenal squad ahead of the side's Barclays Premier League match at Fulham on Saturday,

“I've spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I'll remember that time fondly but feel I'm ready for a new challenge. Arsenal is known for playing technical and skilful football, and has a young but experienced squad. I'm really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the club to new successes.'' said Silvestre who has been handed the number 18 shirt.

Barcelona Striker Thierry Henry Might Move to Manchester United this Week

Sir Alex Ferguson has not ruled out the possibility of Barcelona striker Thierry Henry moving to Manchester United this week. The veteran Scot is keen to land a new forward as Wayne Rooney is struggling with a virus and Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season. Louis Saha is also on the sidelines so Carlos Tevez had to play as a lone forward in Sunday's Community Shield win over Portsmouth at Wembley.

However, Ferguson is concerned by his side's lack of a cutting edge, saying: "It's been pressing since the end of last season. We like to operate with four strikers and we haven't been able to do that."

Of the speculation linking United with Henry, Ferguson added: "There's a name every day."I can't answer the question because I don't have the right answer. It's possible I'll sign someone this week. We're trying and we're looking at one or two options. Hopefully we'll get something done."