Tweet
Dimitar Berbatov remains an oasis of calm in Manchester United's frenzied frontline
Bulgarian striker shows sublime skills and shows the fans why Ferguson paid so much to lure him away from Spurs
Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United battles with Elano during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Photograph: Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport
If the Manchester derby was possibly the least intense of its kind since Newton Heath and West Gorton St Mark's, the forerunners of United and City respectively, met for the first time in 1881, at least it provided the perfect stage for Dimitar Berbatov to demonstrate the qualities that persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to spend £30.5m to lure him from White Hart Lane to Old Trafford last summer.
When Ferguson swooped, Tottenham had already agreed to sell their Bulgarian forward to the other Manchester club. This encounter would have allowed Berbatov plenty of opportunity to reflect on his wisdom in refusing to be rushed. In a match dismissed by Ferguson as "horrible", he was able to see at close quarters the kind of mess in which he so narrowly avoided becoming involved.
There has been considerable debate over the success of his first season in the red shirt. On paper, few players could have presented themselves as a more perfect fit for Ferguson's side. In prospect, Berbatov appeared to combine the detached hauteur of Eric Cantona, the vision of George Graham and, in the vicinity of the goal, the subtle head and lethal feet of Denis Law. To a side brimming with energy and commitment, he promised to bring a calm consideration of the game's moving geometry, as well as goals.
He went into this match with 40 appearances in all competitions this season, 14 goals and nine assists, respectable figures, but not outstanding enough to banish lingering doubts about his contribution. Those reservations were emphasised when Ferguson chose to leave him out of last Tuesday's match at the Emirates Stadium, evidently believing that Cristiano Ronaldo would provide a more effective spearhead for United's attack in the second leg of United's European Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Ronaldo's two goals in north London hardly undermined the manager's judgment concerning his best line-up for such a crucial match. Berbatov remained on the bench throughout, raising questions about the likely nature of his participation in the final.
But Berbatov does not look like someone whose self-belief would be undermined by another man's opinion, however distinguished a figure it happened to be, and yesterday he played like one who had nothing to prove. Nothing was allowed to disturb his languid air, but even a cursory examination revealed the concentration he gave to the match, and the shrewdness with which he deployed his natural economy of movement in the service of the team.
He is not a player who lays off the ball and then hares away towards a position in which to offer himself for a return pass. He gives it and then has a little think about the consequences. When he moves, it is with malice aforethought. This makes him an exception in today's Premier League, where non-stop activity, however irrelevant or unproductive, is the priority.
In Berbatov we see the reincarnation of that fabled beast, the man with time to put his foot on the ball. Not for too long, of course, but there is still nothing quite as satisfying to watch as a player who can dictate the rhythm of the game with a swivel of his hips. And then, of course, there was his 10th assist of the season, a moment of consummate beauty that provided the opportunity for Carlos Tevez to wave his credentials as a goalscorer in front of Ferguson's face.
"Sublime" is an adjective too easily attached to the tricks and touches of unusually skilful footballers, but it came to the head of the queue of those presenting themselves for consideration when Berbatov looked up in the 45th minute to see Darren Fletcher's 60-yard lob descending out of the sky. As it came down over his head, he brought it gently under control with a silver spoon of a right foot, took another little touch as he wheeled away from goal, and played an unhurried square pass across the face of the penalty area and into the path of Tevez.
The Argentine feinted inside before hitting a shot with minimal backlift and watching the ball curl around Richard Dunne and inside the angle of bar and post – the very same piece of woodwork he had rattled from a similar range a quarter of an hour earlier.
Tevez celebrated his goal by tearing towards the touchline with his hands cupped to his ears, encouraging United's supporters to leave Ferguson in no doubt of how much they love him. His team-mates chased after him, equally eager to show their appreciation.
Berbatov, by contrast, walked slowly back from the position in which he had played the vital pass, his expression unaltered as he waited to become the last man in the team to share an embrace with the scorer.
With Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney installed as automatic picks, Ferguson will be conducting a debate with himself over the claims of Berbatov and Tevez – potential combined cost: £60m – for a place in the starting line-up in Rome a fortnight on Wednesday, when his midfield will have to be constructed with a mind to suppressing the creative abilities of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta.
With three league fixtures to fulfil, injuries could yet play a part. But he may be encouraged by the feeling that Barcelona's defence, ravaged by injury and suspension, is there for the taking, as City's certainly was in this mismatch.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/b...anchester-city
Bulgarian striker shows sublime skills and shows the fans why Ferguson paid so much to lure him away from Spurs
Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United battles with Elano during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Photograph: Neal Simpson/EMPICS SportIf the Manchester derby was possibly the least intense of its kind since Newton Heath and West Gorton St Mark's, the forerunners of United and City respectively, met for the first time in 1881, at least it provided the perfect stage for Dimitar Berbatov to demonstrate the qualities that persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to spend £30.5m to lure him from White Hart Lane to Old Trafford last summer.
When Ferguson swooped, Tottenham had already agreed to sell their Bulgarian forward to the other Manchester club. This encounter would have allowed Berbatov plenty of opportunity to reflect on his wisdom in refusing to be rushed. In a match dismissed by Ferguson as "horrible", he was able to see at close quarters the kind of mess in which he so narrowly avoided becoming involved.
There has been considerable debate over the success of his first season in the red shirt. On paper, few players could have presented themselves as a more perfect fit for Ferguson's side. In prospect, Berbatov appeared to combine the detached hauteur of Eric Cantona, the vision of George Graham and, in the vicinity of the goal, the subtle head and lethal feet of Denis Law. To a side brimming with energy and commitment, he promised to bring a calm consideration of the game's moving geometry, as well as goals.
He went into this match with 40 appearances in all competitions this season, 14 goals and nine assists, respectable figures, but not outstanding enough to banish lingering doubts about his contribution. Those reservations were emphasised when Ferguson chose to leave him out of last Tuesday's match at the Emirates Stadium, evidently believing that Cristiano Ronaldo would provide a more effective spearhead for United's attack in the second leg of United's European Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Ronaldo's two goals in north London hardly undermined the manager's judgment concerning his best line-up for such a crucial match. Berbatov remained on the bench throughout, raising questions about the likely nature of his participation in the final.
But Berbatov does not look like someone whose self-belief would be undermined by another man's opinion, however distinguished a figure it happened to be, and yesterday he played like one who had nothing to prove. Nothing was allowed to disturb his languid air, but even a cursory examination revealed the concentration he gave to the match, and the shrewdness with which he deployed his natural economy of movement in the service of the team.
He is not a player who lays off the ball and then hares away towards a position in which to offer himself for a return pass. He gives it and then has a little think about the consequences. When he moves, it is with malice aforethought. This makes him an exception in today's Premier League, where non-stop activity, however irrelevant or unproductive, is the priority.
In Berbatov we see the reincarnation of that fabled beast, the man with time to put his foot on the ball. Not for too long, of course, but there is still nothing quite as satisfying to watch as a player who can dictate the rhythm of the game with a swivel of his hips. And then, of course, there was his 10th assist of the season, a moment of consummate beauty that provided the opportunity for Carlos Tevez to wave his credentials as a goalscorer in front of Ferguson's face.
"Sublime" is an adjective too easily attached to the tricks and touches of unusually skilful footballers, but it came to the head of the queue of those presenting themselves for consideration when Berbatov looked up in the 45th minute to see Darren Fletcher's 60-yard lob descending out of the sky. As it came down over his head, he brought it gently under control with a silver spoon of a right foot, took another little touch as he wheeled away from goal, and played an unhurried square pass across the face of the penalty area and into the path of Tevez.
The Argentine feinted inside before hitting a shot with minimal backlift and watching the ball curl around Richard Dunne and inside the angle of bar and post – the very same piece of woodwork he had rattled from a similar range a quarter of an hour earlier.
Tevez celebrated his goal by tearing towards the touchline with his hands cupped to his ears, encouraging United's supporters to leave Ferguson in no doubt of how much they love him. His team-mates chased after him, equally eager to show their appreciation.
Berbatov, by contrast, walked slowly back from the position in which he had played the vital pass, his expression unaltered as he waited to become the last man in the team to share an embrace with the scorer.
With Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney installed as automatic picks, Ferguson will be conducting a debate with himself over the claims of Berbatov and Tevez – potential combined cost: £60m – for a place in the starting line-up in Rome a fortnight on Wednesday, when his midfield will have to be constructed with a mind to suppressing the creative abilities of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta.
With three league fixtures to fulfil, injuries could yet play a part. But he may be encouraged by the feeling that Barcelona's defence, ravaged by injury and suspension, is there for the taking, as City's certainly was in this mismatch.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/b...anchester-city
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
Comment