Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov has claimed that his Red Devils team-mates are the best he has ever played with.

Berbatov has been a leading light for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in recent weeks as United continue their fight for honours on four fronts.

The 28-year-old has bagged goals against Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion in the last month to help United climb to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

With 11 goals to his name so far this season - not to mention plaudits galore - Berbatov has credited his stellar form to the galaxy of stars he has the privilege of playing with.

“Personally, this is the best squad I’ve been involved with. I am very proud that the manager has said this as well,” he told MUTV ahead of United’s crucial clash with Everton on Saturday.

“My country is proud, too. For me to be here, coming from a small country, it’s a big success. You can’t get higher than the standard at United.

“We have some of the best players and clearly the best coach. It’s a pleasure just to be here and follow in the footsteps of so many great players.”

Berbatov was also quick to reveal that his rapid acclimatisation to life in Manchester has also helped him hit the ground running since joining from Tottenham Hotspur.

“I feel completely settled here,” Berbatov explained.

“To be honest, I felt that way from the minute I walked into the dressing room. The boys have been great. It’s like I’ve been here for years. I was made to feel part of the team straight away, and I think things clicked quite early on.

“That was a big relief for me. Sometimes if it doesn’t feel like home, you can’t adapt on or off the pitch. But it was so easy for me to settle here.”

Lendl Simmons struck an epic 282 for West Indies A as England struggled in the heat until the final session of day two.

The 24-year-old Simmons registered his career-best score in a total of 574 for eight declared.

His marathon effort was terminated by Ryan Sidebottom’s first first-class success in six months: trapped leg before from around the wicket.

England put the quality of the surface into context by racing to 134 for two by the close.

Although Alastair Cook sliced to gully first ball, captain Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell both struck half-centuries.

Bell extended his tendency to get out when well set, however, failing to take advantage of being dropped on 49, when five overs from the close he was bowled around his legs sweeping leg-spinner Gavin Wallace.

Double strike

England were given 28 overs to occupy on the second evening by a West Indies second string intent on making their opponents labour ahead of next Wednesday’s first Test.

The declaration came not with Simmons’ departure but following a quick double strike from Steve Harmison after the tea interval.

Simmons hit eight sixes and 26 fours during more than nine and a half hours at the crease, and was also given a helping hand by England midway through the afternoon session when two separate overthrows in one incident gifted him a seven.

Simmons played spinner Graeme Swann into the off-side and ambled for a single, which turned into a three when Harmison’s wayward throw was missed by wicketkeeper Matt Prior, and gained further value when James Anderson’s powerful return from midwicket ricocheted off the stumps at the batsman’s end to the rope at third man.

Comedy of errors

That comedy of errors highlighted the lethargy which infiltrated the fielding side in testing circumstances.

Lancashire pace bowler Anderson doubled his personal wicket tally in the morning session when, after working Sewnarine Chattergoon outside off-stump, he induced a nibble through to Prior.

But the batsman-friendly conditions saw Simmons celebrate the second 200 of his career in the next over, sent down by Paul Collingwood, with a clipped single off his pads.

He resumed a second morning, starting 16 minutes early to make up for time lost to bad light last night, on 171 and in aggressive manner.

Swann was driven majestically through the covers for four and then cracked for a flat, straight six - Simmons’ sixth of the innings.

A square-driven four off left-armer Sidebottom took Simmons, dropped late yesterday evening by Prior off Anderson, to within one more boundary of his landmark.

The first hour’s run rate was slower than other passages of play, emphasised as the home team managed just 51 runs in 17 overs.

Clearing the rope

But Simmons, nephew of former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons, pressed the accelerator in the next hour, clearing the rope for a seventh and eighth time in one Kevin Pietersen over.

Durham paceman Harmison’s post-lunch spell then reaped a double breakthrough: extra bounce undoing Leon Johnson and a fortuitous leg before decision accounting for home captain Darren Sammy.

It was during that period that Andrew Flintoff appeared briefly as a substitute fielder.

Flintoff, left out of this match as a precautionary measure, tested out his side strain this morning when he warmed up alongside his fellow bowlers during pre-play practice, sending down three deliveries at a very gentle pace, and later headed to the nets for a more extensive workout.

In order to make the first Test in Jamaica on Wednesday, the 31-year-old needs to be bowling again at full tilt by the start of next week.

Harmison finished with four for 101 after accounting for Devon Thomas and Kevin McClean during a spell in which the bowlers managed to exact some reverse swing.

Arsenal have been granted a work permit for Andrei Arshavin ahead of a proposed move from Zenit St Petersburg.

The Gunners are continuing talks with the Russian international and his club over the last few weeks.A deal is yet to be agreed, but Arsenal have applied for a permit as they appear to be closing on a move.

The Gunners have until Monday to finalise the move and the announcement that they now have a permit in place is likely to see the North London club push to try and finalise his capture.

Manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday he wanted the deal done within 24 hours.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has leapt to the defence of under-fire Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez.

That comes after Benitez’s attack on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson earlier this month.

The Brazilian insists he has some sympathy with Benitez as the two clubs prepare for their crucial Barclays Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday, where a draw would give United a clear edge in the title race.

Benitez accused Ferguson and his staff of putting referees under pressure, especially at Old Trafford, and of consistently showing them little respect.

Now Scolari, who takes his side to Anfield on Sunday for their first away league fixture since a 3-0 drubbing at United, says he can understand the reasons behind Benitez’s controversial rant.

“It’s one of his ideas and I haven’t spoken to him about it,” said Scolari.

“Maybe I will at the weekend. I understand. I understand very well.

“I understand that, sometimes, when we play there (at Old Trafford) and at Stamford Bridge, I know what happens.”

Liverpool have drawn four out of their last five home games in the league but Scolari is reticent to boast that it is the perfect time to play them.

Benitez is under pressure as his contract dispute continues while he has also been criticised for his handling of striker Robbie Keane.

But while Scolari accepts the Spaniard has problems, the Brazilian still expects a difficult game.

“He may have more problems at the moment, but if you work in the same place for three years or so, you know how to react to that,” said Scolari.

“I don’t know what’s happened there. I don’t know what’s happened with Benitez. I know when we’ve drawn or lost at home, we’ve needed to change something but I don’t know what’s happened there.

“Benitez is a fantastic coach with good players. We’ll need more ‘adaptation’ than in the other games for this match.

“I think about my job, not his. I’ve lost 14 points at Stamford Bridge and I’m not a bad coach because of that.

“I like Benitez so much and I wish for him all the best. Not in our game, sure, but all the best in his life, in the rest of his career.

“He’s a very good coach who knows the Premier League more than me because he’s been here four or five years.”

Chelsea have yet to beat any of the other recognised members of the ‘big four’ this season but Scolari is unconcerned.

He insists his side have a psychological edge after their victory over Middlesbrough in midweek lifted them above Liverpool into second place on goal difference.

“We started the Middlesbrough game under pressure because we were in fourth position,” said Scolari.

“(Aston) Villa had won and the other teams were in front of us.

“For confidence it’s very good, but we know we are behind Manchester United and level with Liverpool.

“We are not better than these two teams. But, for confidence, it’s very good. We’ve played better in the last four or five games.

“We’ve won games, played better than before, and have shown more heart.”

Liverpool also ended Chelsea’s 86-match unbeaten home league run earlier in the season but the Brazilian refuses to crank up talk of a revenge mission for his side.

“Any victory is very good for me,” Scolari added.

“Here at Stamford Bridge or away. It’s a game that, maybe, maybe, will decide the direction of winning or not winning the championship.”

Ravi Bopara faces an anxious wait to discover whether he will become part of the excitement of the Indian Premier League after being named as one of 20 English cricketers being put forward for auction.

The Essex all-rounder was included in a long list of England players hoping to earn lucrative contracts for the Twenty20 tournament being staged from April 10 to May 29.

“If I said it [money] isn’t important then I would be lying - because it makes a big difference to a lot of cricketers, to their future and their families,” said Bopara. “But if you’re a real cricket lover and you play it because you love the game, you just take all that in your stride.”

He added: “It’s a great opportunity to earn money, and we’ll all have a smile about it. But the main thing you play for and what gives you the fire in the belly is wanting to achieve things as a cricketer and become the best player you can on any stage.

“To be able to play in the same team as guys you’ve played against around the world will be fantastic. It will be like playing in an all-star team - it will be incredible.”

Steve Harmison will get the chance to book a return to the scene of his career high over the next few days.

Durham fast bowler Harmison, 30, has the chance to earn a Test recall for Sabina Park with a strong showing against a West Indies A side in Basseterre. It was in the Jamaican Test five years ago that Harmison terrorised the West Indian batsmen - his astonishing second-innings return of seven for 12 setting up a 10-wicket win.

“There is healthy competition there, yes,” said assistant coach Andy Flower. “Obviously we have our ideas of what our side might be but fast-bowling places are up for grabs. I don’t think form five years ago does have a bearing on picking the side. You’re making a judgment about the pitch and form right now - that’s important.”

Blackburn striker Matt Derbyshire has confirmed he’s on the verge of a sensational move to Greek giants Olympiakos.

Olympiakos have agreed a loan deal with Blackburn to bring Derbyshire to the Greek capital until the end of the season.

Blackburn are willing to loan out the England Under-21 international with Derbyshire currently fourth-choice striker at Ewood Park.

Derbyshire, who has scored five goals this season, is believed to have attracted the interest of a number of English clubs, but Olympiakos have moved to lure him to Greece.

The 22-year-old has admitted he is excited at the prospect of moving to Olympiakos and experiencing a new league.

“Blackburn have given me permission to fly out to Greece to talk to Olympiakos and undergo a medical,” Derbyshire told skysports.com.

“I am excited at the prospect of joining such a big club as Olympiakos and when I found out about the possibility of moving there it was something I looked at.

“I saw they were top of the league and I have been told by various people they are the biggest club in Greece with fanatical fans.

“I know players like Tresor Lomana Lua Lua had a spell there and fingers crossed everything all goes to plan so I can join Olympiakos.

“I had the opportunity to stay in England as other clubs were interested in me, but I fancied this opportunity to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

“It gives me the chance to play in Europe and experience a different culture and I am really looking forward to it.”

Derbyshire could make his debut in the Athens derby with AEK Athens and the England Under 21 international is relishing the opportunity of making his bow this weekend if his move goes through on time.

He added: “Olympiakos play local rivals AEK Athens this weekend and I would love to play in a game like that.

“I am determined to go there and prove my worth and help Olympiakos achieve success this season.”

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby maintains the Gunners have no intentions of “giving up” on their title ambitions.

While leaders Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa all won their midweek fixtures, both Arsenal and Liverpool could only manage a draw.

However, Diaby feels the manner of the Gunners’ result away at Everton, secured by a goal from in-form Robin van Persie deep into stoppage time, shows Arsene Wenger’s men have the character needed to force themselves back into contention over the remaining 15 games.

Arsenal extended their unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to nine matches, but are now five points behind fourth-placed Villa and eight behind United, who have played a game more.

However, Diaby - whose cross set up van Persie’s dramatic last-gasp equaliser - insists the Gunners have what it takes to close the gap.

“We are not going to let up until the end of the season,” Diaby told the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.

“We are going to try to get points in every game and won’t give up. We are very focused on our games.

“Of course, Aston Villa have been fantastic and are in front of us, but we are really focused on our job and what is most important is what we are doing on the pitch.”

It was a 13th goal of the season for Dutchman van Persie, who is now Arsenal’s leading scorer.

“Robin’s first touch is unbelievable and that makes a big difference, but we all try to play and give everything in each game and do our best to help the team,” said Diaby.

Wenger, meanwhile, appears to be closing in on his main transfer target, Andrei Arshavin, with a deal for the Russian playmaker now “90% completed”.

With an FA Cup replay at home to Cardiff next Tuesday night following on from the visit of improved West Ham this weekend, Wenger knows he will need to utilise his whole squad - which is thin enough on numbers already because of injuries to key men like captain Cesc Fabregas and England winger Theo Walcott.

He told Arsenal TV Online: “This team is gold. There are up for the battle.

“The unbeaten runs keeps the belief high, and in the final run, that will be important.

“We will see how everybody recovers from this game and then will see what kind of changes we have to make for Saturday.”

Manchester City forward Robinho was arrested over allegations of a serious sexual assault in a nightclub, it was reported.

Manchester City forward Robinho was arrested over allegations of a serious sexual assault in a nightclub, it was reported today.

The Brazil international’s spokesman confirmed the player met police yesterday as part of a “criminal investigation”, but did not mention the nature of the inquiry.

West Yorkshire Police said a man was arrested and questioned yesterday in connection with a serious sexual assault in a Leeds nightclub on January 14.

A spokesman for the force refused to confirm the identity of the man but said he was released on bail.

Robinho’s spokesman Chris Nathaniel said the player denied any wrongdoing and was happy to cooperate with police.

In a statement on the star’s official website, Nathaniel said: “We can confirm that Robinho met the police today (Tuesday), as pre-arranged and as part of a criminal investigation.

“He strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to cooperate with the police if required further.”

Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, joined City from Real Madrid in September for £32.5 million, making him the most expensive British transfer.

The 25-year-old arrived at the club following the £210million takeover by Sheikh Mansour in September.

Earlier this month Robinho left the team’s training camp in Tenerife for Brazil, citing an “important family matter”.

He returned to Manchester on Sunday for training the following day, according to his official website.

Manchester City were unavailable for comment.

England’s one-day players have been given the all-clear to exploit the lucrative offers available in the IPL.

Lengthy negotiations between the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which began before Christmas and continued earlier this month in Singapore, were finally concluded with a compromise solution.

The IPL organisers wanted England’s players available for a month of this year’s tournament, which runs from April 10 to May 29, while the ECB initially offered just a two-week window before the two boards settled on a three-week availability period for centrally-contracted players.

Other players who are offered contracts by the IPL who are not centrally contracted, which would include England one-day players Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel, have been given until May 8 to report back to their counties which effectively gives them a month with the IPL.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: “The discussions held between our respective boards have been most productive and ECB is grateful to the president and honorary secretary of BCCI for the excellent relationship which has been developed with the BCCI on a wide-ranging number of issues.

“Our agreement is good for the players, the respective boards, our counties and for cricket. We look forward to welcoming India, the reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, to England for the ICC World Twenty20 this summer and for the tour of England and Wales in 2011.”

Today’s announcement is expected to provoke a flurry of activity between players’ agents and IPL franchises to register them in time for the auction in Goa on February 6, when England’s players will find out how much they will receive and for which teams they will play.

It will also condemn them to a frantic start to the Ashes summer, with the one-day series in West Indies finishing on April 3 and the first Test against the same opposition starting at Lord’s on May 7.

As part of the deal, every player who signs an IPL agreement will have to give 10 per cent of earnings to their county, which could result in a windfall for counties such as Hampshire should Kevin Pietersen be given a bumper deal while Lancashire can also expect a significant cheque for releasing Andrew Flintoff.

The two boards have also agreed to increase the standing of series between England and India and have agreed to play each other in Test and one-day series every four years, starting in 2011.

They are also working towards establishing a window for the 2010 IPL tournament in an attempt to restrict the disruption to the county season to a minimum.

That may provoke further talks with the International Cricket Council as the inaugural Twenty20 Champions Trophy tournament is currently scheduled for April 2010.