Berbatov hints at comeback for Bulgaria

Dimitar Berbatov is too sublime a player to be limited to cameos for United

(PA)

The Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov yesterday moved a step closer to ending his self-imposed international exile, saying he would be open to an approach from Bulgaria's new coach.

The 31-year-old, his country's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, quit in 2010 and has said several times that he would not change his mind. But yesterday he said: "You should receive an invitation to return somewhere. My phone is switched on and I can be more concrete if I receive an invitation.

"No one has tried to contact me. I haven't met [Bulgaria coach] Lubo Penev and I haven't talked to him. I couldn't even congratulate him on his appointment."