Manager: Berbatov Not Ready to Return to Bulgaria

Manchester United`s Dimitar Berbatov (L) vies for ball with Ajax`s Siem de Jong (R) during their UEFA Europa League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, Britain, 23 February 2012. EPA/BGNES

Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov is not ready for a return to the Bulgarian national football team, said national team manager Lyboslav Penev Friday.

Since early February, reports had it that the star player might be set for a return to the national team, which he quit back in 2010.

There were even reports that Berbatov will be back for an upcoming friendly between Bulgaria and Hungary next Wednesday, February 29.

"Dimitar told me that at the present moment he is not ready to return to the national squad, so for the time being the situation with him has not changed," said Bulgarian coach Penev Friday.

"We agreed to talk again. I told him that the door to the national team remains open for him," added Penev.

The national coach added that he has already met with his squad for the Hungary game and expects from them nothing short of victory.

Dimitar Berbatov's position in Manchester United has been for quite some months now unsettled, with he remaining more often than not on the reserve bench.

At the same time, persistent rumors about an imminent transfer from ManUn have failed to materialize, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson strongly suggesting that the Bulgarian will stay on the team.

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