After scoring the opening goal against Burnley, before setting up our second with a parried shot from the keeper, Dimitar Berbatov limped off the field to a standing ovation from the Stretford End.
Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that decisions would be made today in regards to whether Berbatov would need surgery on his knee, rather than waiting until the end of the season.
Turns out it was just a dead leg and there’s a chance he can play tomorrow against City.
“I thought Dimitar had got a knock on the knee,” Ferguson said. “It turned out it was a dead leg and we are having a look at that. I am hoping he will be all right but he is a doubt and we will see what he is like in the morning.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Phew is right, although I am still not convinced about his overall fitness. I think we are prolonging the inevitable at this point. I hope he lasts until the summer.
Good, hopefully he can give Citys defence the run around, he needed that goal on Saturday.
Smashing news!
I think Owen is suppose to start in the carling cup..
Holding back from the ‘We told you so’. AIG and Scott glad the sensible ones always saw the importance of Dimi, World Class!
Glad he’s not hurt, but if he was, it would maybe have forced some transfer movement that for sure won’t happen now.
Kudos to Berba for playing through the pain for such a long period of time, he gets branded as a lazy so and so but if he was he’d just take the vacation and get his injury sorted not pump himself full of pills and injections to play when his team need him
I hope he gets a goal against City, come on Dimi!
http://www.dirtytackle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/berbatov_smoking.jpg
Come on lads, he’ll be fine. That picture just says “I’m fucking class and I know it.”
However, I say rest him against the Bluenoses. Start Rooney and Diouf with Owen on the bench.
I dont think people see how important he is to manchester united
it stuns me the amount of time in 18 months ive defended him on this site
fantastic news -best news ive got today
all i did today was this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tisap3t3E
Manchester United’s record with Dimitar Berbatov in the starting XI is 34 points from 13 games. Their record without him is 13 points from nine games. That’s 2.6 points per game v 1.44 points per game. (source F365)
Great stats, Triggs, confirming that it’s not just sentimental attachment to a romantic notion of what makes a great United player, he actually makes a difference. We should applaud him playing through injury when his form has been affected, with all the predictable results in media comment.M e, I’ve loved him from day one, and I ain’t gonna change now. So come on, Dimi, Dimi, Dimi, let’s have one against City! (Actually it’ll probably be Owen who starts).
what’s a ” dead leg” ?
Giles Oakley
Sir hello
I have this feeling that 2 upfront wont be Berbatov or Owen I think Berbatov will be rested for Hull Owen will start on the bench with Danny and Diouf and Rooney will start. Rooney wont play 90 so there will be cover for him and Diouf will get to see how he gets on in a start thats a high pressure but more important to the other side.
I hope your well sir
Triggs – what’s the record with park in our team
I know I’ve slagged Berbatoff in the past but I did go on record and say that I would be getting behind him – and it seems to have done the trick because he has looked the part in the last couple of games. (No need to thank me, fellas!)
@CROoney http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/health_and_fitness/4284462.stm
Fred –
let’s see how he does against the top opponents. so far he hasn’t brought us what we need/lacked ( areal threat, goal poacher, european experience ) … we would most probably win against the teams like burnley,sunderland etc even without his arrival…so far he hasn’t shown that HE is the one to drag us forward…he hasn’t actually shown why should he be any different than other players who have been doing great for the smaller clubs ( i.e. fabiano,santa cruz,villa,martins etc)we could have bought someone else for that average contribution we’ve got from him…
thanks btw
@Fred
I checked at my calendar and it’s not April Fool’s day.
Good to have you on board, lol.
Hoping it’s welbeck and Rooney! Danny has been quality in the cup run and deserves to keep his place, plus don’t think him and Wayne have ever started a game together playing up front so would be interesting to see how they link up!
@Fred
Ill back you up on that I remember one day I was talking to you on this for a few hours about berbatov. . . and I know you said some things about Berbatov but you did finish by saying you’d back a player who played in red and i believe I said what Costas just said. good to have you on board.
@Costa hello to you today
Its very important to have as many of our first team players as fit as possible at the moment. I think Berbatov is very hit and miss, I constantly change my mind as to whether he should be first choice at the moment, he has undeniable class but I would like to see him be a bit more clinical. At the moment it seems all our strikers need 3-4 chances before they bury one.
well ok, he may continue with the injury for the rest of the season, but i hope it doesnt harm him in the long term. i’d rather get done with it.
also read about Fletch playing with some problem in his right foot. gets me worried!
wont it be better to play without them, rather than risk their future?
p.s. does Berba remind anybody of that Archibald guy in the movie Rock n Rolla? really class..
@GHTT
Hi mate. Nice vid for Hargo. Personally I am not too fond of curly hair, lol. I wonder how Owen combs them.
once again this player talks and once again i love him more
united want to win a cup city just want to beat a bigger team
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1189461_evra_points_out_derby_difference?rss=yes&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FMwdI+%28Manchester+United+-+Football+-+Sport+-+Manchester+Evening+News+-+RSS+Feed%29
phew!!!
@costa
the reason i did that one today is because the burnley fans have robbed that chant and just changed the name to chrissy eagles made me sad:(
Great news. Like him or not, Berba’s been one of our most influential players this season. He always seems to pick the right pass and his understanding with Rooney is getting better each week. Top class player, I hope Fergie doesn’t listen to the idiots calling for his sale. Unlike popular belief, he is not the reason for our poor performances, if our defence was stronger then our attack in turn would be stronger, for obvious reasons.
Your dad
ya mean
http://bluraymedia.ign.com/bluray/image/article/957/957923/rocknrolla-20090227034537006-000.jpg
And may he be healthy…
Hope he can be rested. Although I will love to see him play against City.
@GHTT
Well, chants get stolen all the time. Poor Chris. The two reasons why he never cut it at United were his weight and his hair!
phew!!!
Thank God he’s fine. Hope he plays well against City if he starts. His creativity is missed when he isn’t in the team.
Phew is right.
GHTT- Exactly that one mate!
@Your Dad, GHTT
Just watched the movie ‘Body of Lies.’ Anyone seen it? The guy who plays the Jordanian Head of Intelligence looks exactly like Berba, not sure if it’s the same guy you are mentioning. Check it out: http://clothesonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Body-of-Lies_Mark-Strong_blazer-cuff.JPG
@Your Dad
Looked it up, mate. It is the same actor! I couldn’t stop thinking it was Berba the entire movie…
Dont know who is fit and who isnt so pardon me if i have included any player who is injured but i want to see this team tomorrow
foster
rafael Brown evans Fabio
Park Anderson Gibson Obertan
Diouf Owen
its andy garcia so famous he was in family guy
http://www.boston.com/ae/sidekick/blog/Andy_Garcia_XX.gif
thatsour berba
rooney will start tomorrow
Good news. Really starting to make a difference is Dimitar. If not for him on Saturday I am not sure we would have broken Burnley down.
Fred – Fair play pal.
aig – I sincerely hope it isn’t that team you listed. Pretty much the team that got dumped out the FA Cup mate.
ghtt
do you think rooney will start seriously?
i dont and he should not because we have some massive games coming up after city and given our position in the league we must win them.so he should not start.think it was something like 5 games in 15 days from Burnley. Would like Rooney to play only 3-4 of them.
@ five – Top Post mate. Shame not everyone else sees it that way and would rather listen to the tripe the yids and media have labelled Berbatov with.
king Eric
i knew you would say that mate but i want to see the young lads given another chance to bounce back and prove they are good enough.will be an ‘acid test’ for them.i still believe we were dumped out by leeds because the young lads are inexperienced to play against sides that park the bus. Against City it will be a very open game and we will have much more space to work with. The only change i would make is possibly start Vidic if he is fit.
Hi All,
Been a lurker here for a long time, just now starting to post. So glad to now see so many behind the Bulgarian Genius who wears our #9 shirt, because I for damn sure know it wasn’t always the case with a lot of you on here. Better late than never I says.
Gonna go on record to say that when the Berba/Rooney partnership FINALLY gels (and lets all be honest and say it’s been a LONG time coming) it will be the deadliest and most feared in football. When the 2 of them achieve the Xavi/Iniesta like “hive mind” they will be unstoppable.
The man is going to be a United legend.
King Eric – I still think rooney needs a better front man, like I said aguero would be just brilliant at the age he is at rooney and aguero upfront would be something very special indeed. he ticks all the boxes he is young exiting and he would just lift the place something the club desperatly needs.
That’s good news, don’t want him going in for surgery when he’s enjoying a bit of form. It would be just like a couple months ago when he was having a good run of form then got injured playing for Bulgaria.
GHTT – OMG AT THAT VIDEO!!! (Emily about Hargreaves)
I love it!!! /bow
on another note when is John O’Shea comming back? I seriously think he is the one we miss most this season. Not Rio but O’Shea.
When him and Hargreaves come back and if they are on form noone in EPL will stand a chance (ofc if current starting 11 stays fit aswell!).
aig – Hi fella. Good point actually but I just can’t imagine IF they do perform like that again. Having to listen to the fucking giddy liars for a year. No thanks. However I reckon they will perform better but I don’t know if Fergie will risk it. Having said that a number of us me included thought we would get hammered out in Wolfsburg.
Hampy – I agree about Sheasy. He has been missed. I just hope those that slag him off realise what an asset he is.
rtnk – Yeah man but Aguero will cost 50 million or summat daft. Not gonna happen and nor should it.
Rooney the new king – Dumping the bitters out the cup will “lift the place”.
King Eric
Hi mate.
I thought the same way as well. It is typical of United to surprise people when our backs are against the wall. Look at the 2-0 carling cup win over spurs when SAF played so many young lads and spurs were nearly at full strength. Saying that i feel we may see fletcher as he was suspended for saturday and possible Evra and Valencia but a few young lads will definitely play.
King Eric – well something after has to lift this place because its like the titanic we are all down. well atletico are out of everything and this could be a great chance to snap him up because it is world cup year. long term he will be worth every penny and like we done with vidic give him time to settle and we can go into the new season ready to go. because united cant just rely on rooney and berbatov again next year they need fresh blood to patner rooney in attack and berbatov is an year older and he is not going to improve much.
I have to agree about O’Shea guys. He was a staple last season and we miss his presence in that back 4. Sir Alex has been quiet about Vida’s injury in recent days. I hope he will be back for Hull. I am not too fond of the Brown-Evans partnership, sorry.
Costas – well with the current injury crisis a brown evans patnership I relieved to have and lucky to have at the moment
@rooney the new king
Trust me, I don’t miss the days Carrick and Fletcher were playing back there. However, out of our defensive players, this is the worst combination we can have. I think their communication is a bit off. And I think it’s about time we got a break and got players like Rio and Vidic back for good. Hopefully.
I wish Wes can play better in the centre back position, but he really does have his best games at right back. Maybe when we have Rio and Vidic back in defence we can play Wes back in his position, in important fixtures when it’s not ideal to play Rafael at right back.
My team for tomorow:
Kuszack
Rafael Wes Evans Evra
Valencia Gibson Ando Nani
Diouf Owen
Costas – well its a shame carthcart is not given a chance becuase he is such a promishing defender. I wish fergie does not go out and snap up ryan showcroft who would be a shrewd signing from fergie to replace the declining vidic. instead of wasting a fortune on some foreign defender
Courtesy of F365, I thought these were… “priceless.”
* Despite £38m of summer investment in the City defence, they have conceded exactly the same number of goals as at the same stage last season.
* Roque Santa Cruz has completed only one 90-minute match all season – v Sunderland in Mark Hughes’ final game in charge.
@rooney the new king
Is Cathcart on loan at the moment? I can’t remember. He was quite good in the friendly against Boca in the summer. Shawcross is a good choice in case Vidic leaves. Or Gary Cahill. Unfortunately, their clubs will try to milk us for all we are worth. Too bad we gave up on Shawcross too quickly.
I think Diouf will get the start but playing with Berba would be the best option. Berba can play slightly behind Diouf. Berba needs to get his game moving and it has been much better as of late. If Berba can’t go I would like to see Owen in the line-up as the same could be said for him. Either way I hope Diouf gets the nod.
Im geting very excited about tomorrow nights game and i usually click links to emily songs to do with whats happen but because its city theres only one thing i can do
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=city+emily+jane+best&search_type=&aq=f
GOD BLESS JAKE CLARKE
Sanj – I am sure cruzcost 18 million
Costas – well unless is there any further news of carthcart loaned or extended he should be back at united this month since his loan ran out in january
rooney the new king
as far as i know his loan was up on the 4th of january i havent heard of it been extended but then again i havent heard about him been back
The force is strong in Berbatov, yes, great influence he has had.
We are on a WIN – WIN situation over the semis.
It will be great to batter the blues as it always is but (heaven forbid) even if we dont then City gettingto and then losing in a final and still NOT winning anything in 34/35 years will be quite sweet to see.
So close…………….. but no Cigar !
Sanj – Alright mate. I think they are also one point worse off than at this stage last season.
I’m a fan of Aguero however the problem would be even worse than what we saw alot of during the Burnley match. Valencia and Nani were putting in the crosses but there was no great aerial presence. Berbatov is the only one that is capable of getting on the end of a cross. Put in Aguero AND Rooney and you have too similar players in my opinion, Rooney really needs a target man opinion.
Heard that cathcart had an injury and came back in December! Not sure if he went back to watford after this or not! Can’t really see him making it at united due to the fact we were willing to let him go Newcastle in the summer permantly, which is a shame cos every time I see him play he looks the real deal!
Talking of loan deals just where the fuck is Possebon? We heard he had only played once or so and they didn’t consider him good enough. Would imagine thats bollocks but has anyone heard owt?
My earlier point exactly. I am fucked off with every cunt in the media thinking Ciddy are gonna catch United. They will NEVER be anything like United. I would bet they will struggle to finish top 5. The first test since Richard Madely took over was failed miserably. Just why the fuck did Mancini play Robinho away at Everton? He has no fight and that is always a tough game. I will bet they will be on their next manager come the end of the season. It is just another false dawn in the laughable world of the bitters. What the fuck have they done to warrant all this praise? Spurs and Villa are a better team as are Everton on their day. They aren’t “world class” like the ABU’s keep making out but merely very average players who would get no where near United’s first 11. It is a fucking insult to our great club to have these horrible deluded cash crazy chancers compared to us. Hope we hammer them in the Cup I really fucking do. Just have a look at the opening lines. They have the money now “they are after our silverware”.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1244294/Manchester-divided-The-battle-supremacy-starts-Eastlands-City-host-United-Carling-Cup-semi-final.html
@KingEric
Possebon is in a sort of limbo at Braga in Portugal for all I know. We loaned him there in the summer to get experience but didn’t impress the coach there at all. He may have returned back to OT this month, but I am not sure.
Hi GHTT, thanks for asking about my health. I’m now slowly, slowly recovering from the side effects of radio therapy (which came in heavier doses than usual, as I’m taking part in an experimental form of treatment). It is absolutely knackering, especially coming on top of months of hormone therapy which is also very tiring. I spend a lot of time sleeping, thinking of things I’d like to write for RoM. While I was having the treatment I had to lie absolutely still while they radiated me, for 15 to 30 mins. I would pass the time by going through United Cup Final teams, starting of course with the FA Cup Final of 1909. And no, I wasn’t there to witness it…
@Giles Oakley
Get well soon : )
Dan Utd – Thanks pal.
Meanwhile this is exactly what I mean. Who the fuck do they think they are? Turn it into a “blue hell”. Vincent son , United have played in European Cup ties in Turkey and European Cup FINALS. Do you honestly think they will fear you at the council house? Deluded cunts. I could almost forgive the arrogance if Ciddy had actually won summat in the last 3 decades. Meanwhile on another of those links on the sun Ian “ABU” Wright “fancy’s City big time”. Yeah yeah Ian. Rolling out the tired old cliches like “Tevez was thrown out the door”. Get your fucking facts “wright” you cockney cunt. It really is time for United fans to get behind the lads and show everyone that we aren’t a spent force like they all so wish. Current Premier League Champions and 3 on the row and people talk like we ain’t won anything in years.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2813968/Vincent-Kom-to-hell-United.html
Giles – Hi mate. Good to hear you are getting there but sorry to learn it hasn’t been easy. Keep your chin up old boy.
I see Redknapp junior has named his all time top 10 mid fielders. He says its hard to split Keano and Viera but Viera edges it as he ran the midfield in the “invincibles” year which would never be done again. Try running it in a TREBLE season you tight trousered bastard. They just won’t give United the credit will they? It must really pain them. Viera was a bottling cunt who could not live with Roy. This invincibles year gets more praise from the media than our TREBLE WINNING SEASON. Says it all really.
My god I am riled tonight! Sorry. Off to bed now .
King Eric – I completely agree and you have said it in black and white. I experienced the treble year like many others and for me that was perhaps the most epic and heart ripping season I have ever experienced, and its is the reason why I call united the most magical club in the game and the reason why I support them its always epic.
The 98/99 season for me was something that will live with me forever, the recent success dont match that season, it was a hollywood script and its not just winning the treble that did it. Its about how it was done that makes that season special. barcas teble winning season was straight foward last season, uniteds was something on another level of epicness.
United that season were brave hearts they had more balls than every football that was ever made, and from the first wistle that was blown to the last, we all felt we were on that pitch with the lads I almost even pissed my pants in the game with arsenal in the semi final of the CL because it was that mad, and the CL final the lot of us done the most insane things, the question is did arsenal fans get that fix that epicness we experienced in 1999 not a chance in hell.
for anyone to put arsenals unbeaten season with the legendary united side of 1999 is quiet frankly a joke redknapp hang your head in shame, go watch the treble winning season you idiot.
We should give the reserves a chance. it would not mean much for us to win this cup. players like welback, macheda, the twines, etc need this game.
Somebody said Welbeck has done well in cup runs? Remember Leeds?
Hi Could anybody tell me whether the match tonight is being shown live in India?
Voted. The blog’s by far the most honest, accurate and passionate analysis of man u and it brings together a great man u community as well. Keep up the good work scott !
@Dakota,
In Asia i don’t think u could find it on ur cable. Try streaming it live if u hv a good connection. try “myp2p.eu” mate.
@ Giles Oakley
Nice to hear you getting better. God Speed your recovery Sir!
Regards
@dumb4ss
thanks a ton,mate..
@Dakota
Live on Zee SPorts at 1:30 AM tomorrow. It is Live.
Dakota
Live on Zee Sports tomorrow at 1:30 AM
Giles my aunt is going true the same thing and everytime I talk to her or about her I always have you in my mind, this ain’t no ordinary blog site if people care about you and I get personal emails about how my daughters Christmas was etc. I understand you’ve a few years on me and I would never ask your age but my heart dropped a beat when I read 1908. Thank god you finished it with you were not there. I’d to get an opon my side as I was cut openid to sit up and I was fully awake the doctors just numbed the right hand side of my body , I’d a nurse next to me to talk to to keep me from looking right and this was July 1999 so there was only 1 thing I talked to her about. Good to hear from you sir
@Marq that was me and yes he has done well in the carling cup! Man of the match against wolves man of the match against Barnsley (which he only played 55 minutes in) play very well against spurs!! So do we just leave him
out for the semis?? Also Rooney was crap against Leeds as was everyone else that day should we not play any of them again?
Can’t say I’ve been overly impressed by Welbeck whenever he’s played this season. I’m guessing Macheda is still injured? Would loved to have seen him more this season, I think he’s showed a lot more promise and maturity compared to Welbeck.
I think we will include some youngsters but overall a stronger team than people think;
Kuszczak
Rafael Evans Brown Fabio
Valencia Anderson Carrick/Giggs Obertan/Nani
Rooney Diouf/Owen
Although I’d like to see Owen & Diouf start I don’t think he’ll rest Rooney as he’ll be gagging to play, if he does though Berbatov would probably play with one of them instead. Hoping the arrival of Diouf doesn’t limit Owen’s chances even more!
nobody said we werent better with him, the point is, he still isn’t good enough to play upfront for Man Utd regularly. The reason he needs to play is because the other option is Michael Owen. Fact is, we have one top quality forward in the squad, and we need another one.
Altonian – Yeah Kiko has a groin injury. Fletcher MUST start tonight.
@Altonian more maturity?? Must say I’m baffled that u think kiko is more mature than danny, it was italys u-21 manger who said kiko attitude wasn’t right! Never heard anyone say that about danny! Plus there’s also the fact that SAF has picked danny ahead of kiko when they have been available so obviously he thinks danny is more mature and has more promise than kiko!
By the way I like kiko and think he will be a great player for us just think danny will go on to be a much longer better career at united!
@Costas
I agree witht he combination of Fletch and Carrick although i do think this is more down to carrick.
I have given him time, and time and time and i still see the same thing! Granted he does put in the odd good shift however!
Everytime i watch him play to me he looks very uncomfortable on the ball specialy when being pressed. For a player praised on his passing gives so many simple passes away and often careless distribution. Not the greatest of tacklers but granted he certainly has very good positional sence. Hasnt had the confidence levels that i would like and is often looking to his partner to be the creative spark. His shooting ability is just one stage above anderson & he is as clinical as hesky!
I might be a bit harsh on Big Michael but i cant remember many games where when the match finished i thought we won that just bacause of him!…..
I wish Hargreaves gets back, in comparison he looks good on the ball. Great tackler. Good shot! Reasonable PAssing ability.. Very consistant and has a higher work rate… Downside is he is currently injured and has been for over a year!… LOL just a slight downside! hahaha
Out of all our players for me Michael Carrick is my least favourite!… I rate Oshea above him!
Maybe im harsh but this has been brewing for a long time!!
Thanks for the kind words folks. Nice to see several treating me with due respcet and calling me ‘Sir’. No need, chaps, no need. You can just call me ‘Your Grace’…
Seriously, GHTT is right, this is a very special blog, and I really do appreciate the good wishes for my health people have been posting. Mind you, a good thumping win in this Lge Cup semi would cause a marked improvement in my well-being!
Come ON United!