Berbatov's Italian job

Stuart Mathieson

March 08, 2010

Dimitar Berbatov

Rio Ferdinand is backing Dimitar Berbatov to finish the Italian job if Wayne Rooney fails to make United's Champions League tie with AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says his leading scorer is "very doubtful" for David Beckham's eagerly-awaited return with Milan for the last-16 second leg encounter.

Rooney's sore knee - aggravated playing for England at Wembley against Egypt last week - cost him his place against Wolves on Saturday.

His two goals in the San Siro in the first leg have set United up with a 3-2 advantage and Ferguson's medical report could be a Euro bluff but, if not, Ferdinand believes Berbatov's display in the frontman role against Wolves is a plus for the Reds.

"I wasn't surprised by his work-rate against Wolves. To be honest, if you look at the statistics you'll see that he's one of the hardest runners in our team," said Ferdinand. "He covers the most ground. He's a bit languid but he really puts the effort in. If you see him at the training ground, he's always in the gym. It's just his style of play.

"People see a different side to him but I don't think that it actually reflects his importance to the team. He's appreciated by us and that's the most important thing.

"I thought he was brilliant at Wolves. For one player to play up front on his own and occupy their back four the way he did was testament to his quality. If we win the league this year, I think he will be appreciated for what he has done."

Ferdinand returned to United's defence after missing the West Ham league match and Carling Cup final against Villa with a minor recurrence of his back problem that cost him 19 matches earlier in the season. The twinge also forced the new England captain out of the Wembley friendly with Egypt.

"I don't think about my role with England. I think about playing for United. My football is here at the moment," he said. "Everything else will click into place if I'm playing here. That's the only way I look at it."

Do you think United will beat Milan without Rooney in the team? Have your say.

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Sam Davis (08/03/2010 at 09:55)

I expect Rooney to play. Enough said.

Redraw, Belfast (08/03/2010 at 10:02)

Anyone who says Berbatov is Lazy is simply making a Lazy comment.

Alias Smith, over the moon (08/03/2010 at 10:13)

I think we will have enough even without Rooney - Fletcher and Park will of course play and we should be solid at the back. I'm glad to see that Berbatov may be winning a few people around.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (08/03/2010 at 10:13)

I think Mr Rooney will be on the bench at least. Will we score without him... tough question. We look unconvincing without him and will have to play the strongest possible team to support Berba should he be leading the line by himself. But perhaps he'll astonish us and unleash some of the magic he seemed to have when at Spurs when he could turn on a sixpence and belt the ball in the back of the net from anywhere near the box.

As long as we've got the Fletch, Carrick and Scholes combo in full effect we should have a solid platform to play the ball around them. Nani again seems lost on the left so give him a shot on the right again and use Park on the left. Harsh on Tony V i know, but that 5 across the midfield, to me at least, seems the most balanced.

POLYPHEMUS (08/03/2010 at 10:38)

If Rooney does not play I would play Valencia up front with Nani on the right wing. Valencia is a strong and fast forward and he would occupy the Milan back four more than Berbatov would do. The last thing we should do is sit back and try to soak up the pressure. I also think that Park should play on the left wing.

United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (08/03/2010 at 10:47)

The MEN is so far behind other websites.

Fergie has come out already and said Rooney will be fit to play. I think we should rest him, play Berba on his own up front. The Italians need to come at us and get a two goal lead so that will leave space at the back for Berba to exploit.

Lovemore Sithole (08/03/2010 at 10:54)

Rooney is part of the team and the team will be there come wednesday to deliver.

david allen (08/03/2010 at 11:09)

Berbatov is sheer class. End of.

LEASE ON COUNCIL HOUSE IS 250 YEARS, MANCHESTER (08/03/2010 at 11:13)

I THINK SAF IS PLAYING MIND GAMES ABOUT ROONEY. I HOPE SO !!

jordy, Middleton (08/03/2010 at 11:24)

United should have too much for Milan. I've heard news that Wes Brown has broken his foot v Wolves and is out for 3 months. Any clarification? 2-1 for United on the night.

The Kitten Juggler, Fleet, Hants (08/03/2010 at 12:02)

Whilst I feel that Berbatov's style is likely to be seen to be more effective against the Italian style I'd feel more comfortable if we had a bit more artillery in reserve if Rooney doesn't play.

In the build up to the game I'm getting more nervous about Vidic and his constant shirt-pulling - I can see him getting caught out for pace and reverting to his school playground tactics, giving away advantage in the process...

Oh, and if Nani DOES play then PLEASE put him on the right!

Drago 34 (08/03/2010 at 12:05)

Berbatov played very well on Saturday and has been playing well the last 6-7 games yet some people will never give him credit no matter what he does.His work rate on Saturday was very good.He was chasing down defender's, chasing down the goalkeeper and going sliding blocked tackles.That said i do fully expect Rooney to play on Wednesday on his own and Berb's to come off the bench.

Midfield General (08/03/2010 at 12:06)

Berb showed real character and a great attitude against Wolves. Good to see. I expect Rooney to recover though

Laurence Jay (08/03/2010 at 12:09)

Berbatov is , Perhaps , The most enjoyable player to watch ...
I like to sit back and rewatch the Games and Just Marvel at his
Imagination , Passing and His Cleverness ....How many minutes
did he eat off the Clock during the Last Three on Saturday ?
He plays Chess on Cleats .....Why isn't he Appreciated more ...?

L.Jay Canada

Gilly, Belgium (08/03/2010 at 12:20)

I hope so too , we need Rooney !!

danny, WILMSLOW (08/03/2010 at 12:22)

Monkey tennis?, yes please Carrick in full flow that I have got to see!

davmac, manchester (08/03/2010 at 12:30)

Rooney not play against AC Milan. Yeah, sure, and Fergie is the next manager of City!

Red Wun (08/03/2010 at 12:34)

About time, people acknowledged Berba's "alternative" style. He's notp lazy, he's just efficient, generally anyway!
What is up with Diouf tho. I'm missing his point altogether

Drago 34 (08/03/2010 at 12:39)

monkey tennis

Carrick is suspended for the Milan game.And why drop Valencia who for me is by far the best winger in the League with 7 goals and 12 assists? Valencia for me is a must in every game especially the big one's as he is also great at tracking back and defending and very rarely give's away a pass.For me the midlfield 3 without Hargreaves-Carrick-Anderson would be Park-Fletcher-Scholes.And a front 3 assuming Rooney is fit of Valencia-Rooney-Nani and if he isnt fit then Berbatov comes in.The back 4 for me bearing in mind Brown's out for 3 month's would be Rafael-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra with VDS in goal.

Demo, Glossop (08/03/2010 at 12:41)

monkey tennis. your line up will not work as carrick is suspended for wednesday remember. iv read somewhere else that rooney is fit for wednesday which is good news as the job is not done yet and we could do with him and the silky bulgarian to ensure we keep our advantage.

brown has broken a metatarsal and will be out for season and poss for world cup as well.

my line up for wed

vds, pe, nv, rf, raf, jsp, ps, df, av, wr, db

D.S, Stockport (08/03/2010 at 12:42)

Monkey tennis?, yes please...i believe carrick is suspended for this match so like it or not we gonna see gibson at some point. and to be honest i rather have tony V playing on the right for this game with Nani on the bench as an option..i do hope rooney makes it to start the game if not then guess we will have to do it without him....reports say Brown is out of the season? shame...

Whatever the scenario i hope we get through this with no problems at all...what about a repeat of Roma eh? unlikely lol.

D.S, Stockport (08/03/2010 at 12:52)

...on the topic or Berbatov....i just know that its going to click one day and we all going to see the great player he is...now im not saying we should adjust our game to suit him at all, i just know he's going adjust sometime and i hope its sooner rather than later...on evidence of our last two games i think its fair to say that he's getting there.

the guy is a united fan through and through, what else can you say?

RealRedStory, Zambia (08/03/2010 at 13:02)

Berba is already a great player!!!! He has been harshly judged because everyone wanted him to bang in goals which he has not succesfully done but I have always felt, he is a different player at Utd and he's been part of most of the creativity that has resulted in goals [of course by other strikers].

Thank you Rio for reminding us of the real quality he has been of late!

david allen (08/03/2010 at 13:03)

Diouf = poor mans Louis Saha. Not as fast, not as injury prone, not as prolific, not as skillful and not as good.

Duncan, London (08/03/2010 at 13:04)

I thought Valencia linked up quite nicely when Nani drifted over. If Rooney is not playing how about playing Nani on the right and Valencia on the right side of a central 3 with Scholes at the base and Fletch on the left, with Park on the left wing drifting in to support Berba?

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