“What’s the best part of being a Manchester United footballer?” is the question directed at Dimitar Berbatov. With a smile on his face, as if he can’t understand how such a question could be asked, he replies, “being a Manchester United footballer.”
The eyes of the country are all on Dimitar Berbatov at the moment as he is given the difficult task of replacing Wayne Rooney in Saturday’s fixture against title rivals Chelsea. Of course, our Bulgarian scored in this fixture last season but this season it’s a whole different scenario. We are just weeks from the end of the season and the pressure on Berbatov to deliver is tougher than ever. Despite breaking in to the top ten scorers in the league last weekend, which is an impressive feat given the month he missed, his on-going knee trouble, as well as the fact most of the players above him are their clubs’ penalty taker, our striker is still getting stick from rival fans and our own fans alike. The 18 goals he’s scored and assisted in his 19 starts isn’t enough for some. His sublime first touch and unequalled vision don’t do it for them. Why? Because the bandwagon rolled in a long time ago and he got typecast as lazy.
We can argue the toss all day long on this one and have done on many an occasion on this blog. It’s hard to remember the last time a player split our fanbase so dramatically. But the constant slating he gets from sections of our fans is unbelievable. He didn’t ask for his price tag but he did ask to play for Manchester United. Carlos Tevez scored 5 goals last season but because he ran around like a blue arsed fly our fans chanted for him over Sir Alex Ferguson’s end of season speech, which was praising our title winning team and looking forward to a second successive European Cup final. And what did he do? Jumped ship for City as soon as they wafted money under his nose. Compare this to Berbatov, who didn’t even bother meeting up with Mark Hughes, despite knowing they would double whatever we were offering to pay him. Yet even when he looks to treble the number of goals Tevez scored for us last season, (with Ferguson not playing him in the big games too), Berbatov still has to prove himself. And don’t we look like an uncultured mob because of it!
Essentially, I want us to win the league, and if “own goal” wins the golden boot on our behalf, I couldn’t care less. Who scores the goals and how we score the goals is no concern of mine, as long as we just bloody score! But truth be told, obviously I would love it if Berbatov was to steal the headlines over the next few weeks for nudging us that bit closer to the title. Not just because I like him but because I think it’s important his appeal stretches to our fanbase as a whole.
So Dimi, good luck!
Man Utd News 24/7
Well said, whoever let facts get in the way of opinion hehe – Come on Berba – we can do it !!!!!
I hope we can do it. I don’t care if Berba scores a hat trick, or if he is crap all throughout the 90 minutes. 1-0 from anywhere will do. Even if it’s VDS. 3 “1-0″s in Rooney’s absence will be enough for the season to stay alive for us.
Well, if ever he was to prove he is worth 32million, it would be right now!!!!
He’ll be known as a legend if he does this
COME ON DIMITAR
STEP UP
the guy is a fuking class act any1 who says otherwise simply dosent know anything about football the way berba holds the ball, his first touch and movement are second to none!
I honestly think that anything other than a defeat and we will go on to win the league, Chelsea HAVE to win this one I feel so fingers crossed we catch them out. Personally, I hope Carrick and Scholes don’t play together as they are just not mobile enough to hold the midfield, equally I will be completely bolloxed as I am already sooo nervous.
Scott, maybe for luck you should do a “Is this the day for Macheda” topic tomorrow!
Also, the City game will be tough, but it’s evened out because Chelsea also go to Tottenham.
But gismoj is correct. The main thing is not to lose. I don’t want us to lose and depend on Chelsea dropping 3 points 5 games before the end of the season.
It is ridiculous the lack of support he gets from some sections of the fan base.
He is a class act – full stop
His control is some of the best I have ever seen – far superior dare I say it to Roon
Also aren’t we in Macheda Season at the moment – think it is that time when winter turns to spring
Very nice read, Dimitar can score against Cheslea, i think he and Valencia are going to be the key to this game
oh for fuck sake
its not like Step up Diouf it all lies on you
your talking about Berbatov here
world class amazing skill vision and technique, the best player United has for linking up with so many other players around him, The guy is an unreal ball player and It doesnt faze me a jot that this guy is our number 1 striker.
its not we need berbatov to man up
its more like thank god we still have berbatov.
if rooneys injurys is 2 weeks then its like a small fire in front of us
berbatov in a united shirt is like a big fricking bucket of ice water
Until Scott brought it up, I had forgotten about it. But Berba hasn’t complained one bit about sitting on the bench has he? Unlike others…
@OP
We sure are.
Oh the memories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pgPFmXjC8
i av ill fate on berba alone, he dont seems to score a first goal.i just hope the goals come early enough on saturday
@costa
i agree wit u ,a goal from anyone will make us smile. i tip valencia 4 that game
@asite
Valencia scoring would be nice. He hasn’t scored in 2010. I have a feeling thought that it will be a late goal by us.
in french
oues tu don moi manchester united contre woi chelsea, non amin lo tues say amon,
in pidgin
yes, i bliv say manchester united go fit win chelsea,no wahala for that match ona go see am on saturday
in english
yes, i am so sure manchester united will win chelsea, ther will be no trouble wit that one, u guys we see it for urself on saturday.
we’re so screwed!!!!!!!
and i hate myself to admit that!
@costa
are u always online. men u are a genius. i really miss u 4 the last 3 weeks that i was sick. now am fine.
tell me where is john oshea. its been long i see him on the pitchor even hear from d press abt him, also possiebom
1:20 HAHAHAH, FUCK YOU TERRY SHITHEAD
@ lucas
wats up lucas. so sooon, too early now to lose faith. we will win that match
@asite
Oh thanks. I am on Easter holiday and have plenty of time on my hands these days.
greatest fanzone ever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd4G6jst2i4&
bye mates for now
i’ve been critical of Berbatov during the season here..there are games that he has played where the whole team has not performed but he’s got it because of his style..but he’s come good for us at the right time and tomorrow i got a feeling that he will come good for us..Rooney has learned and developed the art of scoring the bread and butter goals that you need to sustain a challenge if you’re gonna have any chance of winning the league,Berbatov already has this in his make-up.The team this season is exactly that..a team..i am quite confident that Rooney won’t be missed tomorrow because we don’t have to change the way we play..just hope that our midfield can pass the fucking ball to each other…unlike at Beyern on Tuesday night..
“So Craig, what do you think”?
If anyone can answer this, I am just wondering, does Berba smoke ? Cigar or cigarette ?
Regarding Hargo and Sheasy, Sir Alex said that he wants to have one of them on the bench tomorrow and one on Wednesday. And given that Hargo can’t play in Europe, he will probably be in the squad for tomorrow.
SELL BERBATOV BUY VORONIN
Berbatov will score a hattrick tommorow .hoping hargreaves will be on the bench.
yeah berbatov smokes http://www.lllj.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/berbatov_smoking-300×180.jpg
but so does the other guy
http://i46.tinypic.com/33otufd.jpg
Hi Scott,
Totally agree with what you have said.
Apart from that this is when the team need everybody behind them and there is no time for bickering about the effectiveness of players. I personally like his style and, as Scott points out, the statistics show Berbatov to be much more effective than what everyone thinks.
I think we have it tough now, but I said this before the Rooney injury, that to win the title with our run in was never going to be easy. With that in mind we have to keep perspective.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS………UNITED UNITED UNITED
I dnnt understand why some united fans are switching to panic mode. Like ghtt said, its not like we’re bringing in an inexperienced lad from the youth team, this is a tremendously gifted international we’re talking about here. He’s played in a couple champions league finals for fuck sakes. Correct me if i’m wrong, but isnt he the record scorer for his country? He isnt blessed with pace but he makes up for it with an amazing first touch and incredible vision. I say he’s more than capable of leading the lines for us.
heres Mr Rooney smoking
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/09/09/article-0-01BB832D00000578-894_468x320.jpg
and heres misses rooney whos just smoking hot
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00715/Coleen_Rooney_715364j.jpg
but please dont just leave for 2 days with just a berbatov post
scott i know you have a life away from this which i think 90% of the people on here do
hes shit
hes great
no he’s shit
no he’s great
751 Comments later
off topic but i read yesterday on a think about sahas football life that he’s not a former newcastle player because he was only there on loan ala le sulk at the dippers
does that mean Tevez is not a former manchester united player
hahah. nice pictures. They smoke and can be fit as fuck. gnarly. the way both Macheda and Berba smoke, priceless. Italian and Bulgarian mafias.
Wayne was just chilling i guess ? hahah
any picture of the red Kai mate ??
DIMITAR BERBATOV. TOOK ONE LOOK AT CITY AND SAID FUCK OFF!
To be honest I would rather say it’s up to the other guys in the team to step up after the not so great display on Tuesday, Berba has been fantastic for the last few months so I don’t see how suddenly he has to step up now… the guy has already made himself be counted
I see another center forward
i know his name is Dimitar
Man City offered more
but Berba knows the score
thats why he a man united star
I remember that day so well on kiko’s game
At around the 70th-75th min Federico came on and i was groaning i thought it would be tosic but no it was federico
I thought ronaldo ‘s late draw was enough and i said ok i’ll take it but when ryan passed the ball to him And that turn…God i had such a brilliant view of it his touch of feet was magic And the finish….just wow
No wonder i love him so much
I am not a fan of Berbatov and I openly admit it.
But regardless of my personal feelings towards him I will be cheering him and the rest of the team on Saturday. United need the fans to be the 12th man and support the whole team to get them through. The questions will be asked by the ABU media, before, during, and after the game. But now is the time for everyone to stick your chest out, stand tall, and be counted. Prove them haters wrong.
If United go 1-0 up I will be singing “One man team, we’re just a one man team, one man teeeeeeam….”" Hehehe.
First off, I dont doubt Berbatov as a footballer, but the jury is still out regarding how he fits into our first team, and if he will fulfill the potential we all believe he had before he joined. He’s a class act, and has been unfairly labelled as lazy, and the rest, but the real proof of the pudding is that we all know if we were starting a European Cup Final tomorrow (or even the Chelsea game itself), and we had a full squad, that Berbatov simply wouldnt start.
And thats not me saying he shouldnt, or some of the others that write in here and are disappointed with the impact he has made – that is, and has been, Fergies choice for the last few months. Theres no need to slate people who doubt what Berb has achieved so far at The Theatre, or try patronise others because they have a different opinion to yours or because you think they cant see the quality and ability the man clearly has.
This is not a black and white issue (he’s world class / he’s shite).
Im waffling here, my main point is that as ye all argue over how class he is or poor he has been, the bottom line is that Fergie doesnt have him in our first 11 for any of the big games when we have a full squad, and I’ll put my neck on the line here and state that Fergie knows more about football than any one reading this. So before you slate someone next time cause they cant see the class act you see, you should ask yourself why he isnt getting as much game time as he could be in the team picked by Fergie.
And before I get hopped off for being negative or having a go, Im not knocking the chap at all, I like him, I do think he will improve and find his place in our team, and Im not worried at all he has to lead the line tomorrow, I think we’ll get the 3 points, and do Bayern aswell – with Berbatov leading the line.
My only point (at the danger of repeating myself for the third time) is that you can list statistics, and show clips and flashes as much as you see fit, but until Fergie believes Berba does warrant a starting place in our team consistantly in big games (which must be the ultimate that any player we have must be judged off I would think), I’ll back that and agree that he hasnt quite made it at United yet. And please note, I do say ‘yet’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0zKJVfd158
Berbatov likes playing deep.the question is where will the goals come from?.valencia,nani,park or giggs will have to get in the box more.berbatov will make it a 4-6 formation
Hopefully, Berba will smoke Chelsea tomorrow.
Beautifully put Scott, expressing exactly what I think. I would just add a plea to everyone, regardless of whether you do or don’t like Berba, please get behind him and everyone else in the team, not just tomorrow against Chelsea but in every match until each trophy is either won or lost. Save recriminations for later. It’s especially important to stay behind the team when things go wrong, not just the easy bit, when the team is 3 or 4 up. We must stay United.
I hate the way alot of footballing videos on YouTube are drenched in flashings effects and shit music.
Here’s one that’s a bit cleaner with Berbatov: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gqriFRHLwU
Also, I’d like to add that I think it’s a great shame we haven’t been able to accomodate Berbatov properly in the team. His use of the ball reminds me of Cantona. He’s got great technique, compuse, vision and able to pull of brilliant tricks like superb over-head kicks and remarkable backflips.
AT JUST 28 YEARS OLD DIMITAR HAS 190 CARRER.THAT RECORD ALONE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, HE IS WAY BETTER THAN TEV’ASS.WHO IS STILL TO EVEN REACH 60
Go on Berbs, you can do it lad, i know you can.
Time to crack open his A-game on Saturday and pour it all over the Rent Boys back four.
*compuse = composure
Whenever Rooney and Berba have started together in a 4-4-2 things haven’t been good. Our record with only Rooney or only Berba upfront is better.
I really hope he does well. He is a fantastic player. Berbacool.
Berba is terrific, but he really is a confidence player. He’s been great recently, so hopefully he’ll be high on confidence, but let’s boost that as much as we can. Obviously we need to get behind the team in general, but some raucous support of Berba in particular would be nice. Too often the chanting for Berbatov is rather lacklustre, because those who don’t like him don’t really join in. But it’s for the good of the team tomorrow, Wednesday, and in the coming weeks that EVERYONE gets behind Berba.
Well Berba always plays better without Rooney imo, so here’s hoping he can produce the goods over the next few weeks. ps It would nice if the midfield could chip in with a goal or two
Berbatov isn’t the worry for me, it’s the centre of midfield and defending against Zhirkov and Malouda.
Let’s hope so then. He bagged a few against Chelsea at Spurs and one for us last year so lets hope he can continue it.
Is there any need for the self-righteous comments like “If you don’t like Berbatov, you know nothing about football” ……………shu——-ut up! Football is a game of opinions. There are certain parts of his game that you can’t question, but my arguement in the main all along was that I’ve expected more from since he signed, like a lot of fans. But he’s never got stick at games, he’s all ways been supported at matches so that’s all that matters. Anyway everyone is united tomorrow.
Let’s all get behind him. I think he will relish the main man position. Remember at Spurs he was there best player and that’s why he was so good there. Personnally I think it’s got Giggs all over it this game. If I could pick a dream scenario it would be the same as everyone else, Macheda last minute screamer.
With Berbatov in the team I can see us having much more possession than them and our midfield shits on theirs. Rio and Vida won’t even have to bother because Drogba, as per usual, will be shite.
Also, I wake up only to see Jason Cunty running his mouth over Chelsea beating us and winning the league easily. Firstly they will definetely not beat us, it may be a draw but they will not beat us at OT. Secondly they will still have to go Spurs and Liverpool. Both teams needing to win to get 4th, especially Liverpool as it will be there last home game of the season.
Come on United.
@North Stand,Tier 3,Back Row
Well said.
@Giles Oakley
Just because someone criticizes Berbatov doesn’t mean that he/she will not get behind him during the game. We may all have our own ideas about players but we are all United supporters first and we all want the team to do well. I may not agree with all of the positive comments made about Berbatov by some contributors on this blog, but I certainly want him to play well and help United win the upcoming crucial games.
I really want United to win both games, rentboys and bayen but with current condition… i take 1-1 draw with chelski and 1-0 win over bayern… and I hope our lads prove me wrong!!! what do you guys think?
I’m putting my BELIEVE in Berba now…
. Compare this to Berbatov, who didn’t even bother meeting up with Mark Hughes, despite knowing they would double whatever we were offering to pay him………..said one of our friends………… he is right… Remember when Robinho sold his pride to join a history less Man city club…. at that moment… city offered berba everything he wanted . despite this, Berba dished in to United’s team. amazing . i love him
forget this, let’s talk about his ability. who would question his touch of class and set ups…. nobody at united is gifted like him…….. he brings about new dimension to our club.
at this critical moment of the time ,when rooney has suffered injury, i guess this will be the perfect time for him to express him self .
i love t his guy , and we will be happy to see hm vs chelea
hope he scores……………….. and make the doubters prove them wrong
IN DIMITAR WE TRUST!!!
GHTT
Totally agree with your first post on here mate, its not a youngster coming in, it is a world class footballer.
Not only Berbatov, but all players should raise their game now.
Berba may have not scored as much as he would have liked, but most o the matches that he played he was a class act. He will not let us down.
I find the whole debate about Berbatov has become quite personal between united fans with entrenched viewpoints. Logic should suggest that Berbatov should be judged over the last two years and that one match for better or for worse wont really matter.
Without opening a can of worms people are familiar with my view that the things Berbatov has done well recently bypass the mains criticisms of him.
I hope he scores a hatrick tomorrow, more realistically gets a goal or an assist and more generally plays well in the football match which would be a belated step in the right direction.
Sorry, couldnt read all the posts, but just want to mention that its a bit disrespectful to see comments like if you dont get Bebatov, you dont get football and such stuff. I feel we are all entitled to our opinions and shouldnt have any one forced down our throats. I would however never condone slagging a player off on the pitch but off the pitch surely I can express my opinions freely?
That said, i have never been Berba’s biggest fan but I hope with all my heart that he comes good in the games where he gets to start now. I would love him to go on and become a reds legend and I realize now that since he came to united he’s never been the “main man” so to speak, there was alwys Ronnie or Wayne, now he has a chance to silence his critics and I hope he can.
Glad to hear too that Hargo could make the bench tomorrow, hope he can play a part this season and hope he can come back as the same player, this is always the greatest challenge after a long term injury.
Lets hope for a great result tomorrow and on wednesday
ON ON ON!
Sorry, couldnt read all the posts, but just want to mention that its a bit disrespectful to see comments like if you dont get Bebatov, you dont get football and such stuff.
RedDevilzAdvocate
I’m afraid that sort of generalisation is just common to all football discussion. Unfortunately it when fans genuinely believe that Manchester United fans are all glory hunters that a problem arises.
DIMI & NANI FOR THE WIN!
One defeat and one player injured and far too many fans are panicking! Its a huge game tomorrow that we want to win, I will take a draw but generally feel the 3 pts will be in the bag.
Of course we are going to miss Rooney becuase this season he has been one of the stand out players in the world but we have more than enough quality all over the park.
They will be nervous about both Tony V and Nani with their full back situation and Carvalio is out who for me is ten times the player Terry is.
Viva John Terry Viva John Terry could have won the cup but he fucked it up, Viva John Terry
Were not starting the game tomorrow with ten men, we’ll have a full team out and joy o joy Hargo & big john back yeeha.
North Stand,Tier 3,Back Row @ 12:05: “I do think he will improve and find his place in our team, and Im not worried at all he has to lead the line tomorrow, I think we’ll get the 3 points, and do Bayern aswell – with Berbatov leading the line.”
I’m a BerbaSceptic but that doesn’t mean I don’t want him to do well – or for the team to do well with him at center forward.
I’d just love to see TheLads win the next two in style so that all those ABUs could choke on their bile – “one man team” and “average midfield” and “failures in Rome” and “always getting the referee’s decision” and so on. I get infuriated reading those comments and have learned to bite my tongue and let hte results speak for themselves.
Win tomorrow and it’s # 19; win on Wednesday and it’s probably the third CL final in four years. No question, UTD are on the decline, dragged down by debts. NOT !
let’s get behind berba tomorrow lads!
not always been his biggest fan (even if I am more lenient towards him than my mates) but with carvalho out he can win us the league tomorrow.
gizmoj @ 10:51: “I hope Carrick and Scholes don’t play together as they are just not mobile enough to hold the midfield,”
Agreed – the “problem” with that pairing seems to be that Carrick is too deferential to Scholes; he always passes the ball sideways to the GingerNinja as if he doesn’t have any self-belief. Playing together, they’re much less than the sum of their parts. So, I’d go with Nani, Valencia, Fletcherinho, Carrick, and ThreeLungPark playing behind Dimmy.
Berba to score four goals tomorrow. YHIHF.
It’s a shame that John O’Shea is criminally under-rated. He has been out injured and isn’t fit enough for these two games – if he was then I’d play him in the holding role against the RentBoyz and at right back against Bayern.
Its not Berbatov who needs to step up, its Neville, i dread the sight of Zhirkov and Malouda running at him, and looking at the Villa vs Chelsea game, Neville would do well not to do anything stupid when Zhirkov is into the box
Fucking exciting innit! Cannot wait for tomorrow. Its games like these where everyone thinks we may struggle that we normally do the business. As others have said I would rather Wayne be out than Fletcher. My only concern is the fickle nature of some of the “fans” inside the ground. Go 1-0- everything will be rosy but concede and a pass or two go astary thats when the moans and groans could start. Don’t think it will happen though, everyone seems “United” on this and the atmosphere will be electric. If the lads cannot get up for a potential title sealer then they don’t deserve it. Very confident about tomorrow as we have the bad result out of our systems on Tuesday.
Chuffed to fuck about Owen and Jonny.
BERBATOV TOV TOV, HE TOLD CITY TO FUCK OFF.
Berba is a great player, he does everything stylishly which is great, but to be fair hes finishing isnt great, compard to out number 10 wazza. I think tomorrow will show if berba is really up for relishing his opportunity to shine, but to do this hes going to need support, with 2 fast men running down the wing at defenders and getting balls in, and fletcher and scholes? who can find those passes to the wide men to play in to berbatov, and the rest who get in the box.
Kudos to Jermaine Defoe.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/jermain-defoe/The-Jermain-Defoe-Column-My-mate-Dimitar-Berbatov-is-a-class-act-and-he-s-about-to-make-Manchester-United-critics-eat-their-words-article377257.html
If a Tiny Tears Own Goal would win us the game I’d cry of pure joy!
@King Eric
Mate I know what you mean about the fickle fans in the gorund it pisses me off! The slighest stray pass and they are groaning like fuck. I got a bit heated with a guy last week just constantley berrating Carrick against the dippers.
Berbatov is the man.
No he isn’t.
@ North Stand
Top post mate. Some people on here seem to think if anyone has a different opinion to theirs then they’re an arsehole. I’ve been critical of Berbatov many times in the past simply because I dont think he has delivered enough since he’s arrived. That doesnt mean I don’t want him to do well. If he scores or even has a good game tomorrow I’ll be ecstatic. If he has a stinker then Ill be gutted because that could well mean we wont get a result. If that happens I probably wont bother posting my views on here cos I’ll just get rubbish responses like “if you dont get Berbatov, you dont get football”.
Anyway, if ever a player needed a platform to prove his critics wrong and show his undoubted talent then tomorrow is it for Berbatov. Hopefully he can do the business and help us on the way to number 19.
Cheers MUFC E236, I love you too man.
Im just sick of us all having a go at each other over this issue more than most other issues – we’re all United fans at the end of the day. We’ve different opinions on all issues United, thats how blogs work and what makes them more enjoyable (and frustrating). Discussions on here should sometimes provoke emotional responses, thats half the fun, but not lead to the slagging and patronising responses this issue seems to create.
Anyway, lets put this one to bed, some people love Berbatov, some arent convinced, time will tell, but we all want to see him doing well tomorrow (and every other game).
I think we’ll be ok tomorrow, Fergie seems to have the better of the meetings with Chelsea over the last 2 years, so Im going with either a 1-0 or 2-0 home win, and sure why not… Berbatov to get the goal(s).
i would just like to put my views in 2 points
1) if we are going to win….midfield is d key and then defence and then berbatov!
2) if we are not going to win….midfield is d key and then defence and then berbatov!
its the same thing….the result basically depends how we fare in midfield…defence and berbatov both will heavily rely on midfield…..so its better we discuss about whos going to play in the centre…
Inspirational video Scott. Well-played mate.. come on boys! Stick it to the chavs!
@ancha
Good points. All of them have to perform. Berba won’t pull any rabbits out of the hat on his own.
Wow, what a video. I’ve always known the man was class but how can anyone slag him off after seeing that?
20legend99, I dont think there are many United fans, if any, slagging off Berbatov or saying that he’s not quality, the issue is more to do with how he fits into Uniteds system, and Uniteds first 11. I think you missed the point that alot of bloggers on here are trying to make, without trying to slag the player off.
Like I said earlier, you can watch a 3 minute clip of any footballer in slow motion flicking the ball or scoring and then build an arguement to say he is this or that, but thats not rational or relevant here as no one doubts his technical ability, as a footballer he is absolute quality, its how he fits into Uniteds team and how he plays week on week thats the debate. Like I said, if Fergie doesnt pick him consistantly for the big games, theres something not quite right there – be it his own style of play compared to the teams, or his workrate, or whatever, I dont know, but Fergie clearly does. Anyway, I personally am still on the fence regarding the man and his performances over the last two years (some good, some great, some bad – the same as most players really to be fair), and I do want to see him do well, and believe he still could.
hahahaa 1:20, so great! Come on United!!
NorthstandTier3
Unfortunately we live in the world of youtube. I’ve been in your position before making exactly those comments and it doesn’t go down well at times
Berba in big games debate again? He doesn’t start in them, because he can’t play as a 3rd midfielder.
@ Costas
So true! I hate that…
King Eric I am not looking forward to the game tommorow, to be honnest if rooney never got injured I still would not be looking forward to the game full stop, the only worry is chelsea seem to be hitting form at the right time and I know its dumb but that liverpool defeat last marh when united lost it 4 1 still has scared me.
Costas – he cant play in a front 3 does anyone remember how fergie tried to play ronaldo rooney van nistlerooy in the same side, we looked unbalanced and disjointed
well I ment berbatov cant play in a front 3 when rooney is playing, to play 2 strikers and a wide player is way to disjointed and unbalanced, berbatov can do an ok job when two wide players are supporting berbatov, and fergie will not shaft rooney to the left to acomadate berbatov.
@RTNK
Yeah, that’s my point too. In a 4-5-1(turned 4-3-3), how do Berba and Rooney fit in? 2 options: Berba plays as a CM, which won’t bode well in big games because we could lose the midfield battle. Or Rooney plays as a winger and Berbatov plays as a cente forward. But Rooney must not be wasted as a winger anymore. So everytime we need to play 4-5-1, it’s one or the other.
Great comments in The Telegraph from Gary O’Reilly, who played with Berbatov at Spurs. The first comment was made when Berbatov signed with us. He said watching Berbatov was “like watching an episode out of The Matrix. He seemed to have found a part of time we didn’t know existed.”
His other comments were made this week: he says Berbatov’s problem has not been his own form, it has been the form of Rooney which has changed our tactical direction. SAF has moulded things around Rooney (especially in the bug matches, where SAF also wants a 5-man midfield), and O’Reilly says that in such a Rooney-led formation, Berbatov is more than superfluous: he is a distraction.
“He’s had to change, to learn, to adapt,” he insists. “At Tottenham it was all about him. Others sacrificed elements of their game to accommodate his. At United, he’s the one having to do the sacrificing. It takes time to come to terms with that. He’s had to realise he must play second fiddle to one of the world’s top three, if not the very best. He’s got to play Sherpa Tenzing to Rooney’s Edmund Hillary. Now it’s his opportunity to show he can get to the summit. I believe he’ll take it.”
My own view is it will be partly Berba adapting, and partly about the team adapting. But we have proved ourselves very adaptable this year — probably the most flexible team, tactically, in Europe right now.
My other comment: doesn’t matter who you put up front, unless our midfield steps up it won’t matter. If we play as we did against Munich this week, forget about it.
Costas – exactly, I say if united had a striker in the style of etoo or torres like we saw with messi henry and etoo I think you do it,. I think then you can fit in rooney and that type of striker into a 433 system, but you add the form of valencia and nani who are now both under long term contracts there is no way berbatov can fit into that formation because like how disjointed ronaldo rooney and vanistlerooy were set up we had no width oor balance when all 3 played narrow. during the days of ronaldo rooney tevez all 3 could fit into a front 3 because of their interchangeble styles it works not a 3 of valencia rooney berbatov the balance is not there.
Why he doesn’t play in the big games: a) Rooney b) To play 4-4-2 in the big games when other teams are playing 4-5-1 we need two midfield enforcers Hargreaves and Fletcher, we used to frequently play 4-4-2 in Europe when we had both of them fit.
Ha ha ha fuckit lets get this post to over 900 comments
Question do you like berbatov and if not why
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
@RTNK
You reminded me of the RRR days. Hard to believe it was 5 years ago. That system had potential. Ronaldo and Rooney were hard workers on the flanks. The problem was in our midfield in my opinion. Scholesy was still more attacking minded, Keane was in the twilight of his career and Fletch was inexperienced. It was more a case of wrong timing and not having the best players for 4-3-3.
Berbatov is a 4-4-2 type striker, but looks like he will have to adapt for the remaining of the season. The only was I see us playing 4-4-2 again this season is if United are chasing a scoreline and time is against us.
Chrispiano – the reason why berbatov does not play is because like me and costas said united would look way to disjointed if rooney and berbatov played together in a 433 system, where say either valencia or nani would have to proviod most of the width and evra would have to get forward that little bit more to keep the balance, thats why rooney only plays there because he is stronger quicker and it helps when valencia and nani both play we get the width.
@GHTT
Lol, I am trying to fight it mate. In the end, I am afraid I am going to give in to temptation.
Just kidding. Tomorrow we will all be behind the Bulgarian and as I said. All we need is one goal and I don’t care where it comes from. It could be OG 11 from your mate tiny tears. I am sure you are going to love that.
Costas – na not with van nistlerooy when ronaldo hates to provoid the service for van nistlrooy and you are watering down rooneys talents out wide add the fact van nistlerooy is not great at playing in a interchangeble system. yes keane was past it then add scholes and fletcher were in awful form and a average heinze on LB it was all over the place but ronaldo and vanistlerooy could not play in the same team because van nistlerooy did not have great movement outside the 6 yard box.
I dont think ronaldo played well when rooney had to lead the line with park on the other side also because ronaldo had to provide the service. When it is an interchangeble system with hard workers such has rooney and tevez doing the work for ronaldo I think ronaldo loved that.
Gotta hate tiny tears – well I have liked berbatov that he has not moaned when he has been on the bench for alot of the big games and other games where we now play 433
@Costa
Back in the day my mates all taught Ronaldo Was a diving moaning 1 trick pony , even at the bar where we came back against arsenal John Osheas wonderful trip and keanos “Ill see ya out there” they were still saying Ronaldo waqs good today but……………..
I lov ed it it was like Ronaldo was mine I knew it and thats all that matters like the ronaldo 42 goal season I always said Rooney was the top man at the team.
I love it when I know the truth but hate it when everyone kinda copes on its like its my thing and I love been the outsider in the know and i get a pain when everyone joins my club
now everyone hates that fucker john terry and thinks he’s a disgrace and They are crowding my clubhouse
FUCK JOHN TERRY is mine
@GHTT
Keep him, lol. I don’t think you are the only one. Outside Chelsea and the rags, who likes this guy anyway?
@RTNK
Yeah, well Ronaldo in the end didn’t want to work for ayone did he, lol? But I will agree that Ruud and Ronaldo would have had that problem. Especially when Ronaldo started scoring more goals. Ruud’s favorite system was 4-4-1-1 by the way. When that 1 behind him was Paul Scholes.
@Everyone
I dont want to go all geeky everyone but i notice some people mentined earlier that they got a virus when they accessed ROM.
It has just happened to me but this is not a virus its called XP antivirus malware, its a rogue trojan and will try to make you buy it. What ever you do dont buy it no matter what it tells you as your computer is not affected. You need to do the following:
Click Start, Run. Type command and press Enter. Type notepad and press Enter.
Notepad opens. Copy all the text below into Notepad.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@=”\”%1\” %*”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@=”exefile”
“Content Type”=”application/x-msdownload”
Save this as fix.reg to your Desktop (remember to select Save as file type: All files in Notepad.)
Double Click fix.reg and click YES for confirm.
Reboot your computer.
Let us remember that Berbatov has a good record against Chelsea: He played in both games last season and has 2 assists and a goal against them. For Tottenham he was involved in the 2-1 against Chelsea in the Carling Cup final and scored the winning goal.
Back to business……..
Fuck the rent boys
United United United
The Berbatov debate is a really intriguing one, in fact it could shape Fergie’s signings for next season. IMO Both Berba and Rooney should be playing together.
I like the fact that Rooney has been banging in goals left, right and center but his position is through the middle playing behind another striker. Obviously that hasnt worked out for us hence Fergie sticking him up at the top end
If i had a say in squad matters for next season, i’d ask SAF to take a long hard look at the midfield we have and address its problems cos make no mistakes there are a few things that need sorting out there. There is noise about buying a striker and or a winger, while any addition would be welcome thats not where we should be looking at. Fergie DEMANDS excellence in the defense and we all know about his love for strikers; why we don’t take the same attitude to our midfield i do not know
IMO that has been our Achilles heel for as long as i can remember, we’ve tried to do something about it over the years but we fail miserably
Eric Djemba Djemba
Kleberson
Juan Sebastian Veron
Carrick (yes i’m harsh on the lad, theres nothing stopping him form stepping up his game, the midfield mantle in England will soon be his with both Stevie Me and Lampard entering the 30 yrs mark)
We’ve got Hargo coming back but until we see him play we really cant be sure, how do we know he’s not gonna do a Robben on us, dont know about you guys but NO THANKS
We have talented forwards from Rooney to Berba, Kiko, DIouf , even the reserve guys,. the problem as i see it is in the midfield.
Oh yeah almost forgot the rent boys are going DOWN
If berbatov isn’t worth 30 mil, then how come ibra is worth 57 mil…. They are both almost the same in their style except for the elegant passing where berba clearly has the upper hand..
@slim
Carrick himself is 28 and he is just having a off season..
Slim
how do you know hargo wont do a red nev and he’s so much younger
CMON BERBA U LEGEND
let’s gets things into perspective. i am not going to be a hypocrite and say i am a fan of berbatov. to me
he lacks urgency or intensity to his game, and often times expects things just to come to him, rather than going searching for the ball. but his recent performances, since the carling cup, have shown me that his mind is right and ready to show what we paid all that money for. @ bolton, he stepped up and really directed play. deserving his two goals . now, rooney is out and all the team need to be focused, playing with discipline, tactical intelligence and showing the opposition that “we want to win more” than they do. this is where dimitar steps in, because he has an opportunity to deliver big performances against chelsea and then bayern munich that will shape our season, whether by scoring loads of goals and/or through his assists. either way we need to win tomorrow and get 3 points against chelsea then beat bayern to progress to the semi-finals. dimitar has shown that he can handle the pressure and high expectation we as fans place on our players shoulders.
however, it is not only him, but Michael Carrick who really needs to put in a performance tomorrow and on wednesday. as his performances have either been average or very poor, something SAF will not tolerate for long. we have the quality and know how to beat chelsea and bayern munich, so to all united players, bring your A game and show the world why you are favorites to retain the EPL and add a forth ECL trophy.
@Gotta hate tiny tears
Valid point. Problem is Nev idn’t have a history or injuries, hargo has got this problem for a while now.
I might be wrong but he had this problem from hs bayern days.
Darknight says
Carrick himself is 28 and he is just having a off season..
I hear what you’re saying. and i think he should be playing much better, said that much in my post but fact is he isn’t . We nutured fletcher and he certainly took his time, he’s had a rough journey and he’s the midfield lynchpin.Carrick hasnt exactly done it, he can perform at the level which we expect him to but just hasnt done it.
Come to think of it, Ando is in the same boat, all this talk of midfield wont arise if Anderson stepped up his game.
If there are no major changes in the midfield in the summer, no Problem. They just need to realise that they have to step up, they have to step it up big time cos their peers accross Europe are stealing the march
Valid point about carrick and fletcher but we got carrick as more of a finished product than fletch… As it was stated earlier fletch would not have become half the player he is if he was at a different club…
I do get your point though you cant afford to be of beat if you are at manchester united..
Slim – Tom Cleveley will do a job in our midfield next season. Hargreaves is a very very dedicated lad and has worked his arse off to get back. Cannot see him spending this long in rehab if its all gonna be in vain. Anyway we could well see him on the bench tomorrow.
@Darknight
True that.
Cant wait for the game on saturday and to see Hargo play as well
Hargo won’t be playing on Saturday, the bench at best for him.
@King Eric says:
I got high hopes for Tom, gutted i don’t get to see more of him at watford (that where he’s at right?)
Either way its an area we need to take a long hard look at. With a strong midfield we can play any striker we want. Less pressure on them
Before anyone bashes me about being a barca lover (which i’m not) you only have to look at some of their “fringe” players; Pedro come to mind. He’s not that good, above average no doubt, but made to look like a first team member cos he’s got strong midfield around him
Personally i don’t want SAF asking the club to fork out 30-40 million for a striker when we’ve got lots of talent at the club with Keane, Kiko, Pettrucci, Morrisson etc. We just need to give them a solid platform to show what they can do
@ slim
totally agree with u mate. kiko, welbecks plus the gem in tom cleverley and others like ravel
morrison hopefully we’ll see these youngsters develop into proper first team players
I have every confidence in Dimi. The key on Saturaday will be how well the midfield support him and get forward on attack.
Slim – you’re a Barca lover lol.
@KVN – I see where your coming from mate but I dont want to see Berba running like Tevez chasing stupid balls and diving in with his head!
Berba is always going to divide opinions because no matter how much class he has shown, he has equally frustrated with his very languid style. I just think now he has settles into life at OT a good run of games is just what he needs.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s game. Its gonna be tightly contested, we should make our home advantage count and 3 points will greatly help us win the league.
Like Fergie, its just one player he is having to change for injury, albeit that one is Rooney.
But we still have our defence and VDS and everyone else fit – so no reason why we can’t play as well as we can.
Slim – This isn’t directed at you mate at all but I am sick to fucking death of all the arse licking about Barca being “untouchable”. Its fucking bollocks. A great team no doubt but I have watched plenty of them this season and they have struggled to even break the likes of Osasuna and Tenerife down with late one goals. Look at it this way if a competent ref had taking charge of the semi at the bridge last season Barcelona would not have even made the fucking final. Just look at how Arsenal ran them ragged the last 20 minutes the other night. If teams attack them rather than standing off then maybe they will be exposed.
Fortunately I live fairly near Watford and can get to Vicarage Road after 20minutes on the train coupled with many of my friends being season ticket holders I have been to a few games with the sole interest of seeing Cleverley to be honest. He and Henri Lansbury (on loan from Arsenal) are their stand out players and I worry for Watford if neither of them are going to be loaned back next season. Darren Ferguson said recently in an interview when asked if he would try to get Cleverley at Preston —-”Tom Cleverley won’t be going out on loan next season, he’ll be at United. He is a big part of their first-team plans. Tom is a player I know plenty about, I tried to get him when I was at Peterborough. There is no truth in the fact that he is going to come here, or for that matter, anywhere else. I’m pretty certain of that after speaking to my dad, he’s going back to United.”
@willierednut says
Sorry to dissappoint u mate, i’m actually not a berba lover
I think he’s a good player and good players should be able to play at great clubs, thats just how i see it.
Haven’t been posting on ROM for long, used to got the thhe official United board (shit place now) and there used to be the argument as to why berba doesnt play well with us at United and that did Spurs have a better midfield than we did. Well they probably do. I mean we’ve got players who have won more titles and have more experience but their midfield is quite different form ours, maybe the word i’m looking for is consistensy and organisation but Berba did play quite better when he was over there.
How else do u explain long ball being played to a player who prefers to recieve to feet, ust my opinion
I think Berba’s somewhere between being a flop and being considered a genius, i hope it’s the latter. King Eric – I wouldn’t say Arsenal run Barca ragged in the last 20 minutes, a dodgy pen and goalkeeping mistake let the gooners of the hook.
Slim – I didn’t say you where a Berba lover, but each to his own.
@slim
I would definatley say Spurs midfield is better than ours? I would probably only take Modric out of them.
I prefer Valencia to Lennnon, Fletcher to Palacios, Carrick to Huddlestone. Krankjar is probably comparable to either Three lung or Nani?
Sorry I meant definately not better than our midfield
King Eric – barca are not the side they were last season, they had such a great balance in midfield and going forward has a team, ibrahimovic has def disrupted their flued system they had last year, but still this season they are still the best side in europe who still pass the ball better than anyone even we should learn after what we done against bayern. even without iniesta they outclassed arsenal as we outclassed arsenal this season
I was made up when Barca and Arse drew each other so that the media can have a wank about it and just let us get on with our game!
I have been pissed off for about ten years due to the bull shit that oozes out of cunts like Martin Tyler and Andy Gray touching each other over Arsenal.
With Ronny, Roonie, Berba, Tevez during the last three years we had the best counter attacking football the prem has seen and yet they still bang on about Arsenal playing the best football.
Now its the same with Barca and Messi!
lol I have have spelt Ronnie and Rooney into each other above, sorry people I have had a couple of cheeky ones in prep for tomorrow.
@willierednut says
Sorry must have seen wrong. doesnt usually happen.
Still not a barcelona lover
slim – I am not either but I respect how they bring players through their academy
@ giggs11gerrard0 says
Okay, like i said maybe its our organisation and consitensy. And you’re right about Modric, wouldn’t want to swap Fletcher with Placios cos thery’re both good. Lennon or Valencia would do fine with me.
i think the difference between the 2 sides is that our defence and attack are much much better, not to mention our GK
GHTT. if you want adverse reaction and being out there on your own try saying .>buy Terry sell Rooney
only joking lol
There’s only two players i’d take out of Spurs, Modric and this might surprise some, Dawson.
rooney the new king says:
slim – I am not either but I respect how they bring players through their academy
Yes its quite good isnt it. Ours is similar TBH, we may not churn them out as we used to with becks,Nev,Giggs,Scholes and the rest but we’v got a good group of young players. Like to see paul pogba develop, really,really excited about ravel morrisson and keane. Oh and Tom Cleverly
Spurs midfield is not better than United’s , not at all. Fat boy Huddlestone? Good every 1 game in 6. Jenas? Lightweight little ponce. Modric – good player but even Spurs fans think he is far too inconsistent. Kranjaer – Decent enough player but not United quality. Everytime they play us their midfield gets over run. Oh I forgot Palacios? Vastly over rated. Just a big lump who gets more bookings and red cards than Viera used to.
Chrispiano – Yeah mate I posted on another thread last night about Cleverley. They were interviewing Watford fans on tv last night and to a man they said he was class and will be badly missed. They have all got shirts with 20 Cleverley on. 11 goals in 32 games. Fergie said yesterday that he will be in the first team squad as of the summer. Great news as I reckon the lad will go to the top.
giggs11gerrard 0 – Spot on pal. On our day United play THE best football. What good is it making 60 odd thousand passes a la Arsenal if they have no cutting edge and cannot put the ball in the fucking onion bag? That cunt Bruce Millington a gooner was waxing lyrical about Wenger being a “genius on so many levels”. What the fuck? Such a genius he has been potless for 5 years. Fergie gets fuck all credit. What a panel to have on talkshite tonight previewing the big game. Rentboy fucking Cundy, an Arsenal fan but worst of all that horrible dipper bastard Tony Evans. Where is the United perspective?
@King Eric says
definately relate with some of what you say and some others say, no doubt passing the ball around with no cutting edge is just crap. But thats the point i’m making, UNITED have the players to pass the ball and stick in the net, and on the day where passing won’t work, barge our way through and get our result, no doubt. You know it , i know it, We can play so so much better than we have and definatley better than we did against Bayern. Not saying copy L’Arse or anything but simply utilize the ball better.
i think i made a mistake saying spurs midfield was better than ours because the reality is they aren’t but they do use the ball well. We exposed that weakness in our armor in Germany the other day and i’m glad Fergie didnt mince words and admitted as much.
I’m sure fans everywhere think one of their players in inconsitent at some point or the other.Up until a few months ago some said Nani was inconsistent or that carrick and berba don’t show up, Yet we know that these players are top class and on their day will leave most oohhing and aaaaaahing.
dnt know how you do it but i try to stay away from the media these days cos all they talk is shit. Was watching the SKYSPORTS and the presenter goes “Good News for England, Rooney fit for Worldcup, but will miss crucial month for United” can u imagine that, garbage, UTTER GARBAGE
slim – Oh I know mate. Front page of I think the Mirror the other day had the headline “Great news for England, bad news for United”. Tossers.
You make some good points. Like Fergie said we just didn’t show up the other night. Aside from Rome I cannot remember an away poor performance in Europe so bad for a long time. We were awful. Just could not keep the ball. Scholes and Carrick who are usually superb at retaining the ball and making passes couldn’t make 2 passes between them the other night especially Carrick. We cannot be that bad again and am confident tomorrow we will put it right. A win would be a huge step to getting number 4. As if we also can get a win at Ewood Park next week we could be 7 points clear as the Rentboy’s are in the FA Cup.
I have faith in You Dimi , You are class; SAF knows it, your team know it, and the real supporters know it, I’ll be up cheering you on at 4:30 AM here in California….COME ON UNITED!!!!!!
GGMU
Here’s to Berbatov making amends!
I’m off, enjoy the game folks.
Maybe Berba is not suited to MU fast attacking style…yes he has got some terrific skills but he looks weary everytime…he simply doesnt have that explosive feel to him…i really like him but maybe we could use a different type of player than him…maybe he will do better at Arsenal…