By NEIL CUSTIS
DIMITAR BERBATOV is hoping to finally end his Manchester United hell by sealing a switch to Fiorentina.
The Italian side are close to completing a £5million move to bring the Bulgarian striker into Serie A.
Berbatov, 31, is interested in the move, having been all but sidelined at Old Trafford for the past year.
He started only 11 games last season — and just five in the Premier League.
Berbatov is now even further from a first-team starting place following the signing of £22million arrival of Robin van Persie.
Despite an impressive strike rate of 49 goals in 82 league starts he knows he is well down the pecking order with Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez also in front of him. And the only option to get regular first-team football again is a fresh start.
Berbatov joined United from Spurs in September 2008 in a £30.75million move.
In all, he has scored 56 goals in 148 appearances, winning the golden boot with Carlos Tevez two seasons ago.
But the writing has been on the wall for him ever since he was left out the squad for the 2011 Champions League Final against Barcelona at Wembley.
Manager Alex Ferguson made it clear midway through last season it was probably time for Berbatov to look for a move for his own good.
His more languid style simply no longer fits in with the high tempo game Ferguson intends to play.
