Berg has been a transfer target of Alex Ferguson for the last 10
years. The United manager first tried to bring him to Old Trafford when he
was a 17 year old but could not secure a work permit. Several seasons later
Kenny Dalglish succeeded where Ferguson had failed by bringing Berg to
Blackburn Rovers where he soon established himself at the heart of their
defence. During his time at Ewood Park he made 159 League appearances,
scoring 4 goals. Ironically Berg was sent off for the only time in his
career in England against United back in 1994. He was dismissed for a
controversial foul on Lee Sharpe that led to Eric Cantona scoring from the
spot in a 4:2 victory for United.
Berg is an experienced Norwegian international with over 40 caps, and 4
goals. Following the refusal of the Department of Employment in England to
grant Brazilian defender Celio Silva a work permit, United went in search of
a quality centre back to strengthen a leaky backline. Berg was a suprise
investment for £5 million back in September - making him the most
expensive defender in the Premiership. It seemed unlikely that
Blackburn were going to part with him after they had rejected all of
United's previous approaches. But with a new manager at Ewood Park they
were willing to do a deal. Following his debut against Southampton slotted
into the back four as if he had played there for years. However towards the
end of the season Pallister and Johnsen became the first choice
centre-backs. This sparked an astonishing threat from Berg to leave unless
he was given first team football, fearing his place in Norway's World Cup
squad would be put in jeopardy.
He didn't follow up on his words however and remained at United into the 1998/99
season despite enjoying even less first team football. Even the departure of
Gary Pallister didn't improve matters for Berg as Jaap Stam came in as a ready made
replacement. For much of the season Berg had to serve as backup for the first choice
defensive partnership of Johnsen and Stam but when called upon he didn't let the side
down. In fact United's European Cup Quarter-Final defeat of Inter Milan owed as much
to the Norwegian as to Yorke, Beckham or Scholes.
Berg's miraculous goal-line clearance in the dieing seconds of the first leg at Old
Trafford was a pivotal moment in the tie. As was his equally spectacular overhead
clearance that denied Inter's Ivan Zamorano an easy goal in the second leg. Without
both of those interceptions United's European campaign could have turned out very differently
and even though he didn't play in the final he deserved to savour his winners medal as much
as anyone.
