Manchester United intend to take up the contract option for Dimitar Berbatov.

The Guardian says United will take up the "one-way option" in Berbatov's contract to extend his stay at the club for another year and to prevent him becoming a free agent in the summer. Although the clause is activated on Thursday it does not have to be executed immediately.

The clause ensures that United will not lose Berbatov in the summer for no fee, having paid Tottenham Hotspur £30m for him in the summer of 2008 when he signed on the closing day of the transfer window.