Dimitar Berbatov: Hat-trick hero.

Champions want Berbatov to remain at Old Trafford

BIRTHDAY boy Alex Ferguson confirmed United intend to exercise their option to extend Dimitar Berbatov’s contract by an additional 12 months, even though the Bulgarian, whose present deal expires in the summer, could talk to interested third parties from January.

Berbatov has been an infrequent member of Ferguson’s match day squad this season but responded to his second Premier League start on St Stephen’s Day by bagging a hat-trick in the five-goal hammering of Wigan.

Not that his manager was shocked by such a contribution from last season’s joint Golden Boot winner. “You can’t be surprised at the performances of a player with that ability,” said Ferguson. “It is what you expect.”

Meawhile Federico Macheda’s agent last night said the Italian is “95%” certain to join QPR on loan in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old Italian has made just six appearances for United’s first team this season and had been linked with a move to Wigan.

But Macheda’s representative, Giovanni Bia said: “The club closer to Macheda is QPR. “I think at 95% that Macheda will go to London, because he needs to play.”