Could Berbatov be set for a Leverkusen return?

Yesterday Dimitar Berbatov got one of his rare starts at Manchester United this season and the Bulgarian scored three goals in the 'Boxing Day ' fixture against Wigan Athletic in his clubs 5-0 win. But it could be one of the last few matches for the Red Devils as United might not renew his contract which ends next summer.

Berbatov has dropped down manager Alex Ferguson's strikers pecking order to number four, which isn't the best for a striker of his class who scored 21 goals for Manchester United last season in the English Premier League.

Now reports say that Berbatov's former club Bayer 04 Leverkusen are interested to bring the seasoned striker back to the German Bundesliga. If the striker would be available on a free transfer, then Leverkusen could be tempted to bring Berbatov back as he was a sensation from 2001 to 2006 in the Bundesliga with 69 goals in 154 matches before he moved to Tottenham Hotspurs.

A winter transfer looks out of the question due to the possible transfer fee which Manchester United c(w)ould demand, but if available then Leverkusen could be tempted to make a move.

Internally Berbatov's return would open a fight for places on the Bayer 04 strike department roaster between former Germany striker Stefan Kießling and Swiss international Eren Derdiyok, who haven't scored too many goals this season and the club has ambitions for which it needs a top striker who scores regularly. Berbatov would surely fit that bill especially as he has been at the club.