Rooney and Berbatov strike it rich

Stuart Mathieson

August 13, 2009

Dimitar Berbatov

SIR Alex Ferguson has ripped up his tactical blueprint for his attack from last season and a new look strike formula will spearhead the historic four-in-a-row title charge.

The United boss has admitted that he played last August's £30.75m club record buy Dimitar Berbatov in the wrong position.

"We were a bit unfair to him (Berbatov) last season because we asked him to play too deep. We thought that suited him because of how he played at Spurs, but we were wrong," said Fergie

"We realise now he is at his best in the final third of the pitch, where he's a real threat. We know how to use him this season and he won't change from that."

The result of the error over the Bulgarian's most productive position was a slump in his goal output from 23 and 24 goals in two seasons at Spurs to just 14 in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney will also be relieved of the left sided shackles that restricted his danger for the Reds for some of last season.

At the end of last season he scored twice for England in a 6-0 Wembley World Cup qualifier win against Andorra bringing his international season's tally to 10 goals.

His contribution of eight competitive strikes equalled the record set by Busby Babe Tommy Taylor in the fifties.

Paltry

They were figures at the highest level as a centre forward that made his 17 for United garnered in far more matches look suspiciously paltry.

It was no secret as to why the two stats differed and Rooney admitted back in June: "The position I play for England is the one I like playing most. Obviously, I haven't played that position for a while for United.

"Of course it's the manager's choice, but I've always said my best position is playing up front. So I'm enjoying doing that with England."

Now the 23-year-old has revealed that Sir Alex has told him he will play a more central role this term and has been issued with a 25-goal target for the season that would represent his best ever Old Trafford figures.

Former United striker Frank Stapleton has applauded Ferguson's rethink on Berbatov and Rooney.

"I think the indications are that it will be Berbatov and Rooney who will be the manager's first choice attacking partnership," Frank told M.E.N. Sport.

"We also saw in the Community Shield against Chelsea those different looking roles both will be employing this season.

"It was understandable playing Dimitar last season how he played for Tottenham. The evidence was there that he did well for them a bit deeper. It worked with Robbie Keane.

"But there always has to be adjustments when you move to another team. What suited you at one side doesn't always fit so neatly at another club.

"I think playing Berbatov more forward will get him involved more and I think we will see his goal output improve.

Stronger

"I think we have also already seen a fitter and stronger player. He didn't have a pre- season with United last year but now he has that behind him I think he's in better condition to put in better work rate.

"Against Chelsea last Sunday Berbatov's demeanour and effort was noticeably much, much better. There has never been a question mark over his ability but there are very good signs that he will put in the hard work as well.

"I thought he was United's best player at Wembley because of his work. He was doing that but still supplying those passes for his team mates. Rooney will also benefit from his change of role," added Stapleton.

"Those England stats prove where he is most dangerous. You will never take his work rate away. If Wayne sees problems then he will still track back and help out.

"But it is there for all to see that when he plays up front in the position he likes then his goal figures are better. The new roles will bring him and Berbatov closer together as a partnership.

"It is the plus side of losing Cristiano Ronaldo. When you have an exceptional footballer like Ronaldo in your side there is the tendency to want to get the ball to that player as much as possible.

"A player like Ronaldo causes problems and scores so many goals that it is natural you will always be looking for him.

"But that can freeze other players out of the picture at times and maybe without that ball to Cristiano it will bring Rooney and Berbatov more into the picture.

"He is not there anymore so you have to look for somebody else. I think Wayne and Dimitar will be the ones who'll profit from that.

"But making up Ronaldo's goals isn't all down to those two. Michael Owen, Danny Welbeck and Kiko Macheda will all come into it and United need to see more from the midfield players.

"But Berbatov and Rooney look set to be Fergie's spearhead and I think they will revel in it."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Gilly, Belgium (13/08/2009 at 09:39)

The Rooney / Berbatov partnership should do very well !

Monkey tennis?, yes please (13/08/2009 at 09:51)

On paper it's a great pairing and i sincerely hope it works. With decent service the two of them can be the best strike force in the world, with contrasting styles that will hopefully compliment each other. With cameo's from Owen it could be goals galore!

Alias Smith, over the moon (13/08/2009 at 09:58)

Yep, it's clear Ronaldo has been holding this team back. Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war Fergie! I can't remember the last time I looked forward to a new season this much (though I probably say that every year) - perhaps it's because so many pundits are tipping Chelsea or Liverpool for the title?

danny, WILMSLOW (13/08/2009 at 10:03)

The thing is Alex you can,t kid the people all the time the reason you not we played Berbatov deep is because you are a lousy coach. what with Nani played on his opposite wing Anderson also played to deep with Rooney on the wing its no wonder people question your judgement.
Kiko showed what he could do it was his goals that won the premier make no mistake.
Tosic scores a very nice goal followed that up last night with two for Serbia yet he waits in line behind Giggs.
Glazers closed the purse we need a decent midfielder be honest can anybody tell me also why he sold Pique he always looked class to me scored two Champions League goals for us,and he is better than any player we have in that position cool on the ball and manages to get his head on most stuff.

John Doe Banda (13/08/2009 at 10:17)

Am i the only one who thinks our strike partnership echoes the Gerrard-Lampard conundrum?What undid England coaches was there failure to realise(or perhaps just lack of courage to admit)that the best team doesn't necessarily comprise the best players.No doubt i think Rooney is our best forward but our best partnership may well be Berbatov and Owen.

Paul (13/08/2009 at 10:19)

Rooney and Berbatoss a partnership? Like a motorbike and a sidecar is a partnership.

Brora boy, Highlands (13/08/2009 at 10:28)

Lets start with Tosik and Valencia wide, Roo and Berbie up front and Fletch and Carrick in the midle. If Evans is injured we may end up with Twin, Rio, JOS and Evra.

Bill Wirral (13/08/2009 at 10:53)

I am glad that SAF is the manager and not danny wilmslow. I laugh at his every posting. Okay we all have opinions but just count the trophies won under SAF before you make us laugh again dan. Injuries are never the managers fault but as soon as it happens some always look at the players he has sold and say he should not have done. Pathetic really. As for the strikers well at least he is owning up to mistakes made. I am looking forward to the season because we have to approach things a little differently now that CR7 has left us for an inferior team and I have no doubt that we will come close to all the silverware again and win em all. So calm down danny dear SAF is here to stay for some time to come.

steve wilson (13/08/2009 at 10:55)

and what about Cathcart? seriously some of you post on here do not seem to understand the talent we have;Febian Brandy & Tom Cleverley both scored 2 goals apiece for England under 20`s and because the M.E.N does not bother to report it then it would seem to pass under the radar for a lot of you.

the future is bright the future is UTD.

danny, WILMSLOW (13/08/2009 at 10:55)

I just don,t see how you can ignore Macheda a perfect front man who can shield nd control the ball.
Brora boy, Highlands I would play both Gibson and Cleverley ahead of the Donkey every time.

paul leigh (13/08/2009 at 11:27)

If quality is allowed to flourish it will and both players are quality.

The only sad thing about most critics is when they are proved wrong they disappear from sight. I expect by the end of the season there will be some disappearences. Some of our fans need to take a course in faith. If Fergie were a god, clearly he isn't, he ould have proved his existence time and time again and yet there are doubters.......strange.

Tone Pearce (13/08/2009 at 12:04)

When one door closes another opens- when Cantona went it allowed Cole to develop, when Ruud left it allowed Ronaldo to come to the fore. Berbatov last season was like Sherringham in his first season-finding his place in a team. There are more prolific individuals than both Rooney and Berbatov for sure but can you name a more skillful strike pairing in world football? Goalscorers have barren runs but the plus side of having forwards like our two is that they contribute so much more to a team than just goals. The only reason they're being put under so much scrutiny is that there aren't enough goals coming from midfield yet.

Gilly, Belgium (13/08/2009 at 12:23)

Owen as a super sub maybe ???

manu expert (13/08/2009 at 12:54)

danny, WILMSLOW, i agree with you on pique. we should never have sold him that 7m fee.

i'm not sure on the rooney & berbatov partnership. the problem is non of them play as a proper centre forward. they both like dropping deep.

berbatov might be a luxury we cant afford.

oliver wilkinson (13/08/2009 at 12:59)

danny, wilson.....once again you don't know what you are talking about. Have you ever actually played football. Kiko had a couple of games and did very well. But lets put that into perspective!!! Lets see how he handles more games, more pressure, more expectation. Villa didnt know anything about kiko until he scored! Do you honestly think defenders will give him so much space next time!? No. simple as that. Ive got a good feeling about berbs, he looks quicker, and more eager. Before the Valencia game last week, my last game was middlesborough away. Berbs was amazing! He was the highest assist provider last term, and sky showed his stats against rooney, and they were higher in nearly every department.....even km run! Tosic is young and will hopefully bulk up this term. Will he be ahead of nani, Valencia, gigg errrr no, cos he isnt consistant enough or up to premier league standard yet. He played last week against valencia and nearly every cross was far too deep. He showed willing, but a little bit of pressure and he lost control of the ball. These things will come in time, but he is way off the finished article! We dont need a midfielder. Have you looked at the team, or the players coming through...??? Probably not..and finally danny, pique was sold cos of evans, who in my opinion is far better. Do you remember not last season, season before, middlesborough away? Pique had a truly awful game, he even let the ball bounce over his head, and please tell me you didnt forget anelka making him look like an amateur when we lost against bolton!?

chris, oxford (13/08/2009 at 13:07)

Yes you do say that every season Alias and I can just picture you now - sat in front of your computer, bouncing up and down with excitement! lol ;-)

Steve, Glossop (13/08/2009 at 13:13)

Not like Alex to admit to mistakes but it is strange to splash 30M on a player & not know where to play him. If we had someone in CM who could tackle properly maybe the strikers wouldn't fall back so much. Frank S says what any sane person thinks we need more goals from CM & maybe Anderson can be the man now cos frankly Carrick hasn't got it in him.

danny, WILMSLOW (13/08/2009 at 14:17)

Oliver he has done better that just a couple of games he also did well in pre season and was our reserve player of the year.
I think its you who have never played football as you talk stupidity.
Kiko is one of the few world class prospects we have at United class and confidence shines from him.
He is an out and out striker who has so much awareness and knows where the goal is.
Trophies Brian Clough won two European cups and it should have been three apart from a bent ref.
Without all the big bucks Alex has had over the years.
Clough as Keane said was a far better manager if not for Robins and Cantona Fergie would have gone years ago.
Wirral go and support your scouse team!

danny, WILMSLOW (13/08/2009 at 14:22)

oliver wilkinson It should be Oliver Hardy needs to bulk up he is a star for SERBIA and scored a great goal when was the last time Giggs scored for his country?
So what you are saying you want a little fatty on the wing niether Giggs Nani or Park have his individual skills or ability.

I need to go on a Penelope Cruz, Fleet, Hants (13/08/2009 at 14:41)

Well, I've seen nothing so far in pre-season to change the view that I've had for twenty odd years that he's not got a tactical print at all, let alone a blue one.

I think that in the absence of an assistant he still is drawn back to his fall back plan - intense praying in the last ten minutes (well, it DID work in '99, I suppose...)

george evans (13/08/2009 at 14:42)

Bill Wirral; I'm in agreement. I can't imagine what criticism the team would get if it were in a relgation dog-fight.Perhaps they'd get none; as those criticising the current team might think UNITED were playing well in those circumstances! It's very confusing reading some "expert" opinions.

Red Culture (13/08/2009 at 14:45)

I have one problem with the said partnership Rooney in any partnership is the weakest link. I know I am going to be killed for saying this. But Rooney needs discipline to play as a centre forward. He is all over the show. One minute he is bearing on goal the next he is on the wing, defense, midfield everywhere. He needs to stop the all action game and play his part in a game. I know he identifies with how the English game is played but professionally that's a poor way of playing football.

Raju, Katmandu (13/08/2009 at 14:53)

Danny, WILMSLOW,

I agree Kiko and Tosic look good. But I would say it without saying our other players are crap or the manager is crap. He isn't and they aren't and you know it. I enjoyed the ball Giggs passed to Rooney for the goal last week, I am sure you did too.

bobbydazzler (13/08/2009 at 14:59)

danny wilmslow the reason that giggs has not scored for wales in recent seasons is because HE HAS RETIRED from international football. if our young serbian turns out to be half as good as giggs then he will be a belter. it also may have not sunk in with you yet but giggs is not keeping tocsic out of the side GIGGS no longer plays left ling MORE 'S THE PITY. perhaps you should level your criticism towards the road runner who more often than not gets the nod on the left wing.

United 18 City 2., Wilmslow (13/08/2009 at 15:15)

danny, WILMSLOW
13/08/2009 at 10:03

Are you a complete Idiot? A lousy coach Ferguson?

Pique was not good enough, simple as that. He had his chance in the first time and was outshone by Evans.

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