According to Manchester Evening News, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to return to Old Trafford this September for the club's Legends match against Celtic, a charitable event organized to benefit the Manchester United Foundation.
Berbatov, who made a significant impact during his tenure at United between 2008 and 2012, scoring 56 goals in 149 appearances, joins a star-studded lineup managed by Bryan Robson.
Berbatov's participation follows the recent announcements of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt for the match. The Bulgarian striker previously featured in United's Legends match against Liverpool in 2022, where he scored in a 3-1 defeat, showcasing his enduring prowess on the pitch. Reflecting on his return, Berbatov expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with former teammates and opponents alike.
"It’s going to be great, because I’m seeing old teammates from United, then I see my teammates from the national team as well and players that I’ve played against," Berbatov remarked in an interview with Man United's official website. "So it’s always good to be back with the boys, have some banter, play some football, enjoy it and in the process just raise money for a good cause."
Berbatov also emphasized the importance of supporting charitable initiatives, drawing from his experience with his own foundation in Bulgaria. "With United, it’s obviously a much bigger scale, a much bigger name, and it's good that we former players can have the chance to work and support the Foundation, raising money for all the different things that the Foundation is doing and just enjoying doing it while we play football," he added.
The upcoming match will see a United XI face off against a Celtic XI managed by Paul Lambert on Saturday, September 7th at Old Trafford. The event aims to strengthen the bond between the two clubs, despite their limited competitive encounters, which have been confined to Champions League matches where United holds a slight historical edge.
Bryan Robson, assisted by former United striker Andy Cole, expressed optimism about the event, anticipating a spirited and competitive game. "Every time I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of these games the competitive edge has always been there," Robson noted. "The players might have retired, but they all still want to win and we’ve had some great games down the years. I’m delighted to be managing the team once again."
As preparations continue, more names are expected to be announced for both squads, promising an exciting and memorable day for fans of both Manchester United and Celtic, all in support of charitable causes championed by the Manchester United Foundation.