I am a conspiracy theorist.
I think Berbatov isn't being played because of the misses vs City in the FA Cup Semi.
I think Berbatov isn't being played because of the misses vs City in the FA Cup Semi.
Berbatov | Fulham player
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
And we decide to pile more misery on him by rotting him on the bench, rather than sell his arse. Yep it all adds.
Berbatov is going to start games in the league, but he doesn't do well as an impact sub. Owen is there to come on and score with just a chance or two late in a game.
Yes, I did as well, and I have noticed the same in our Premiership matches, when they show the bench after a goal. Seems to be a genuine team lad. Just wish he was playing more, just like to watch him play football.
Good post.
I dont, I think its because as hard as he has tried Fergie can not fit him into our side.
Carling cup: I see Owen and Berba up top.
Probably. Macheda on the bench?
Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez have been on great form. It's simply sticking to a winning formula.
I think he isnt playing because Fergie is "punishing" him for being all stroppy after not being selected for the bench in the CL Finals last season.
This may sound a bit uncharacteristic coming from me. But who could blame him for being pissed off at getting dumped from the biggest game of the season
I know I'd have been pissed off if I was the top scorer and was dropped from the final for Michael fecking Owen.
Though it seems was not so much pissed off as he was extremely disappointed.
Though it seems was not so much pissed off as he was extremely disappointed.
Maybe he was not pissed off enough
What doesn't make sense with Berbatov's situation is us not selling him if all we are going to do is freeze him out. By all accounts, moneybags PSG were happy to take him off our hands, you'd have though for around £10m (not to mention the substantial wages).
All of that leads me to believe that Fergie will make true on his promise and play Berbatov a reasonable amount. He wouldn't keep him here just to make his life a misery!
What we've seen from Berbatov in his time here is that he has generally failed in the CL and excelled domestically. It stands to reason that he wouldn't play against Benfica. Playing someone like him away in Europe just allows the opposition to squeeze the game too much.
He'll get plenty of game time against lesser opponents. He seems happy with that. Happy days.
All of that leads me to believe that Fergie will make true on his promise and play Berbatov a reasonable amount. He wouldn't keep him here just to make his life a misery!
What we've seen from Berbatov in his time here is that he has generally failed in the CL and excelled domestically. It stands to reason that he wouldn't play against Benfica. Playing someone like him away in Europe just allows the opposition to squeeze the game too much.
He'll get plenty of game time against lesser opponents. He seems happy with that. Happy days.
I felt it was more of an unfit Fletcher on the bench instead, considering that Fergie had Tevez and Berba on the bench for the 2009 final.
It's always good to have such a potent threat available.
I've never seen such a team player, he has bags of ability and could be getting games elsewhere but he's content with chipping in where possible. What a lad.
I've never seen such a team player, he has bags of ability and could be getting games elsewhere but he's content with chipping in where possible. What a lad.
As much as I want Berbatov and Owen to get some game time surely it's more important in the development of Macheda that he gets some minutes?
rvn#2
Yes. With Diouf.
No. Macheda doesn't really need the games that badly this early in the season.
macheda and diouf should have go out on loan during last transfer window. they are too good to play at the reserves level yet they are not going to play much for the first team.
berba should be getting a start sooner and it is likely to be at leeds. the same goes for owen.
berba should be getting a start sooner and it is likely to be at leeds. the same goes for owen.
I think Berba has been kept for one reason only, he is the only viable alternative as cover for Rooney.
Rooney cannot possibly play every game, so when he does not play we need someone who can play off Welbeck, Hernandez or Owen. Berba can do that, and for what it's worth i believe the pacy system we now play will suit Berba more than in previous seasons.
We now have players that will get beyond Berba, which i believe is the best type of set up for him to produce his best. Many do not believe Berba is suited to our play and maybe last year they were right, but in the new system he has movement and pace around him, so look for him to release the ball much quicker and not slow down play as he was often forced to do imo, last year.
Rooney cannot possibly play every game, so when he does not play we need someone who can play off Welbeck, Hernandez or Owen. Berba can do that, and for what it's worth i believe the pacy system we now play will suit Berba more than in previous seasons.
We now have players that will get beyond Berba, which i believe is the best type of set up for him to produce his best. Many do not believe Berba is suited to our play and maybe last year they were right, but in the new system he has movement and pace around him, so look for him to release the ball much quicker and not slow down play as he was often forced to do imo, last year.
I agree with this. Or maybe I just hope this is the case. I could see him doing well as a fulcrum for our attack, he's got excellent control and strength on the ball, and can thread the eye of a needle with his passing.
I think in previous seasons, especially when he's been played up front on his own, he's lacked support from centre midfield and we've generally kept very wide on the wings. Despite the hype about Berbatov and Nani's mutual dislike, those two actually linked up very well on several occasions with Nani more willing to come inside than Valencia. Now we have Nani and Young both drifting in at times, with the likes of Cleverley and Anderson pushing up from midfield, I think there's the potential there for Berbatov to fit in very well.
Yes that's how i see it too. Many people say Berba cannot play up front on his own, but very few can without proper support, you need different attributes for that type of role. But if we look at his record for Bulgaria, he often played up front as the fulcrum in that side, but with players running past him and he managed an impressive 48 goals in 74 apps.
Players with touch and vision need options available to them as they are receiving the ball, so they can play instinctively. The system we have played so far this season would provide him with such options. I think it's fair to say we have never really played Berba in a system designed to get the best out of him, we have often just asked him to adapt within systems set up for Rooney or Ronaldo.
We may actually see the best of him this season and he could at last become the player for us we all once hoped he might be.
Berbatov is essentially a luxury we can afford. I think Welbeck has shown himself to be a challenger for one of two spots up front, both of which are currently owned by Rooney and Hernandez. Berbatov is nothing more than cover, not to say we don't need cover, it's very important, but he's a back up now. He'll play against the teams Ferguson expects us to beat with relative ease (QPR, Norwich etc), in the league and FA cups or in CL dead rubbers. He'll only play in a big game if either Rooney or Hernandez gets injured.
A luxury is a non essential indulgence, i believe Berba is essential, and was kept solely as cover for Rooney. We simply have no other player who can perform as a play-making forward. I am fairly certain if Fergie did not think Berba was essential cover for Rooney's role, he would already be playing for PSG.
We clearly wouldn't have needed Berba as cover for Hernandez, because Welbeck or Owen could easily fufill his loss like for like, more so than Berba.
As for how many games he will feature in, i agree it won't be that many, but the important thing is should (god forbid) Rooney be sidelined for any significant period, we still have a top quality SS waiting on the bench. Had Berba already been sold that would now definitely not be the case, and potentially our squad options would be reduced, and even the system we play may have suffered as a result.
Good post, I agree with you.
He will be needed at some point, useful for the carling cup and the first few FA cup games...
Welbeck played as a deep forward for Sunderland, when he wasn't used on the left wing. If Rooney is unavailable we could use Welbeck in the hole, with Hernandez up front.
Fair point, i suppose we could and it may work. But it would have to be considered a huge gamble placing huge expectations on young shoulders. It is completely different replacing Rooney at Utd as opposed to Sunderland, as Rooney's contribution from that position is so fundamental to the effectiveness of the team.
Berba has the experience and would be much better suited for the role, his proven ability to link and make the play surely make him a wiser option than Welbeck, at present anyway.
This. Berbatov is essentially second choice in the role that Rooney covers in the team. It's just bad luck for him that Rooney is essentially undroppable when fit, but Berbatov has so far shown a willingness to wait his chance, it's a long season and he'll easily get at least 20-30 games.
came on, a few OK touches and one very good pass to set up an attack
But a dreadful miss that smacks of a player desperately short on confidence.
With injuries piling up we need a good game from him on Tuesday. Looks like we may need the fecker after all
But a dreadful miss that smacks of a player desperately short on confidence.
With injuries piling up we need a good game from him on Tuesday. Looks like we may need the fecker after all
What a player to bring on at 3-1, great squad we have.
He was really lax about that miss.
However, he's clearly lacking match fitness. It's understandable he's a bit dopey.
However, he's clearly lacking match fitness. It's understandable he's a bit dopey.
It was a poor pass from Rooney but he should have done better with it.
Thought he did well, kept the ball in the team, made himself available. Should've scored, but in fairness Rooney made it unnecessarily difficult for him.
Wasn't a dreadful miss at all, you're far too easily influenced by TV commentators.
Good stop by Cole though.
Berbatov should have just been lazy so Rooney had to shoot himself
Yes it was and I am far from easily influenced by any pundit or commentator.
He should have buried it.
Give over....
