Berbatov stays for now

The Bulgaria striker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but insists there will be no move before Friday's transfer deadline.

"I think this is unlikely for two reasons, " he told Bulgarian publication Futbol. "Firstly, no-one from United has talked to either me or my agent and secondly my club hasn't received any official transfer request. So I think there is nothing to discuss on this subject."

He added: "I chose Tottenham and I stay at Tottenham. I alone chose to play at Tottenham last season and I remain in Tottenham on my own bidding, at least for now, while my contract is in force."

Asked if he thought United's reported interest in him was genuine, he replied: "This is something different. No-one said United are not interested in me at all or in the price they need to pay for me, but what is known is there won't be any transfer this fall (autumn)."

Berbatov went desperately close to scoring against United three times during Spurs' 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, which added to the pressure on under-fire manager Martin Jol.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy publicly backed Jol last week after the club came in for criticism following reports that a delegation met Sevilla boss Juande Ramos and, according to Ramos, offered the Spaniard Jol's job.

Levy attempted to portray the meeting as a fact-finding mission aimed at tapping into Ramos' recent success but Spurs fans rallied strongly behind Jol during the 4-0 win over Derby and the 1-0 loss to United.

Berbatov claimed that "because of the media saga Jol firmed up his place as a manager of Tottenham", and added the speculation over his future had led to a salary hike.

"The club board decided to raise my weekly salary, not by much, but there is a raise," he said.