THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Alex Ferguson has dismissed Tottenham’s complaint to the Premier League about Manchester United’s "disgraceful" pursuit of striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy issued a strongly worded statement Friday after reporting United’s conduct in trying to lure the Bulgaria striker to Old Trafford.
Ferguson disputed the London club’s claim that in an act of "sheer arrogance and interference" he had announced news of a formal offer.
The United manager said Saturday that comments attributed to him about Berbatov were misreported while raising the possibility of legal action against a British newspaper.
Ferguson urged Levy to withdraw his complaint.
"It is going to be very embarrassing for them," Ferguson told reporters after United’s 1-1 draw against the Kaizer Chiefs. "But you know what Daniel Levy is like. He’s different."
Berbatov, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006 in a four-year deal, scored 23 goals in 52 appearances last season, including a penalty kick in Spurs’ 2-1 win over Chelsea in the League Cup final.
United has been trying to buy Berbatov for more than a year in breach of Premier League rules, Levy said.
Levy said Ferguson is "unbelievably hypocritical" given his unsuccessful complaint to FIFA about Real Madrid’s pursuit of winger Cristiano Ronaldo.