Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov says he will fight to reclaim a place in the first team next season after being left out of the Champions League final squad to face Barcelona.
The 30-year-old did not even make the substitutes bench for United's 3-1 defeat to Barcelona, raising question marks about his relationship with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his future at Old Trafford.
"I am a Manchester United player and I will be glad to fulfil my contract," said Berbatov.
"Everyone has some difficulties but I have always fought and will keep fighting for a prime place (in the squad). I never gave up in my life."
The striker, who has one more year on his contract at Old Trafford, denied reports that he had stormed away from the stadium before the Champions League final kick-off at Wembley on Saturday.
"The truth is that I was in the dressing rooms and watched the game on TV. I was just so very disappointed and ashamed that I was left out of the squad. I cannot hide my emotions and I did not want people to see how sad I was," Berbatov said.
Yet he did not blame Ferguson for his decision to leave him out.
"I was indeed very disappointed and it hurt me a lot. But this was the manager's decision. The pain from Wembley cannot make me give up but only fight more," he said.
Berbatov was upbeat about his future at United and said he would keep targeting the Champions League title in his career.
"There is always next year. I will aim for this title as long as I play football," he said.
Berbatov was the Premier League's joint-top scorer alongside Manchester City's Carlos Tevez this season, as United won their 19th league title, and said he was ready to help the club win again next year.
"I am very proud. Winning England's top scorer title is a grand achievement for me as a foreigner," he said.
"Manchester United is the highest step for me. Everything after that will be a step down.
"This moment will come but for the time being I am a United player and I want to stay and help win the 20th title, which I am certain is on its way."
On Saturday Bulgaria play Montenegro, who are hoping to keep up the pressure on England at the top of UEFA EURO 2012 Group G as they seek a second qualifying win in Podgorica.
Berbatov retired from International football a year ago and the new manager, Lothar Mathaus, has been unable to convince the United striker to reverse his decision.
'I promised to myself when I was nearly 30, if I didn't do anything with the national team it would be best to retire and give chances to younger players,''
''I wanted to let them see what it is to have the national team on your shoulder,'' explained at the time.
Despite reaching the 48-goal mark against Malta last season, Bulgaria have not reached the finals of a major competition since Euro 2004.
''I wanted to reach the record before I retired,'' he said. ''It was a goal I had in front of me but it was difficult. I tried not to think about it too much because if you want to score every game, you are going to have a problem. When I did break the record it was one of my proudest days.''
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