After Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments that he has no regrets over Carlos Tevez leaving, many fans have compared the Argie’s strike rate this season at City with Dimitar Berbatov at United.
It wasn’t a case of buying Berbatov or buying Tevez, as the transfer money for Dimitar had already been paid whilst Tevez was on loan, but the comparisons are made.
Whilst Tevez ran his bollocks off every game, Berbatov is more conservative with his energy, leading to him being tagged as “lazy”. Whilst Tevez’s first touch and ball control always needed improving, Berbatov has probably got the best touch in the whole squad.
But should Ferguson have any regrets?
Carlos Tevez – 07/08 – First season
2685 minutes
14 goals (9th highest in the league)
1 goal per 192 minutes (2 hours 72 minutes)
7 assists (18th highest in the league)
1 goal scored/created per 128 minutes (2 hours 8 minutes)
Dimitar Berbatov – 08/09 – First season
2643 minutes
9 goals (25th highest in the league)
1 goal per 294 minutes (4 hours 54 minutes)
10 assists (2nd highest in the league)
1 goal scored/created per 139 minutes (2 hours 19 minutes)
Carlos Tevez – 08/09 – Second season
1856 minutes
5 goals (53rd highest in the league)
1 goal per 371 minutes (6 hours 11 minutes)
3 assists (74th highest in the league)
1 goal scored/created per 232 minutes (3 hours 52 minutes)
Dimitar Berbatov – 09/10 – Second season (so far)
1161 minutes
7 goals (11th highest in the league)
1 goal per 166 minutes (2 hours 46 minutes)
4 assists (23rd highest in the league)
1 goal scored/created per 106 minutes (1 hour 46 minutes)
Conclusion
– Berbatov’s contribution this season, in terms of goals and assists is better than last, and better than both Tevez’s seasons at United.
– Berbatov’s contribution this season, in terms of goals alone, is better than last, and better than both Tevez’s seasons at United.
– Tevez’s first season at United, in terms of goals alone, was far better than Berbatov’s first season at United.
– Tevez’s first season at United, in terms of goals and assists, was marginally better than Berbatov’s first season at United.
– Tevez’s second season at United, in terms of goals alone, was worse than both Berbatov’s seasons at United.
– Tevez’s second second at United, in terms of goals and assists, was worse than both Berbatov’s seasons at United.
Wayne Rooney is currently enjoying his most prolific season for United in front of goal, so could prove to be a good measuring stick for Berbatov and Tevez’s goals.
Wayne Rooney – 09/10 (so far)
1887 minutes
15 goals (highest scorer in the league)
1 goal per 126 minutes (2 hours 6 minutes)
4 assists (23rd highest in the league)
1 goal scored/created per 99 minutes (1 hour 39 minutes)
When you then consider that 4 of Rooney’s goals have been penalties, he has a scoring rate of 1 goal per 172 minutes from open play. Of course, I’m not discounting Rooney’s penalties because you’ve still got to score them, but it is interesting to see that from open play, Dimitar Berbatov has a better scoring rate than Wayne Rooney this season.
Sign up for the free Republik of Mancunia newsletter.
------------
The RoM Manchester United 2024-25 season preview is now available. It includes articles from the country's best football writers about our expectations for the season ahead and our brightest talents, as well as proposed transfer business and which youth players to keep an eye out for. All profit goes to The Christie so please support this fantastic cause.