• Ligue 1

Evra advised Berbatov on Monaco move

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed former Manchester United teammate Patrice Evra helped convince him to move to Monaco on deadline day.

Evra made his name in the principality, and was the man Berbatov, 33, turned to when offered the chance to leave Fulham and switch to the Stade Louis II on loan during the winter transfer window.

"I spoke about it with Evra, he really told me a lot of good about this team," said Berbatov. "Not everyone comes to the stadium, but the team is in second place and for the moment is achieving its objective of qualifying for the Champions League. I knew Ricardo Carvalho, whom I played against in England, and I don't feel like a new player."

Berbatov had the opportunity to familiarise himself with more of Claudio Ranieri's squad when he took part in his first training session on Tuesday. He did not, however, meet Radamel Falcao, the injured striker whose goals contribution Monaco fans will be hoping Berbatov can match.

"Of course it's a great challenge to replace Falcao, but first of all I'm here to settle into the squad," said Berbatov, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and United, who was asked whether he could recapture the form he showed at Old Trafford after an underwhelming spell at Fulham, potentially starting against league leaders and champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

"I don't have the same hair, but I'll try to show the best of myself," said Berbatov. "I am clearly a little older, but football is played in the head. We'll see in the coming matches and weeks whether or not I'm the same player. I like to do beautiful things on the pitch, I like to entertain. I saw some good things in training, and I hope my style will go well with the team."

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