Except that Ferguson didn't have Berbatov in his squad for a year before hand
Berbatov is a top quality player IMO but playing upfront on his own doesn't utilize his qualities to the full extent
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I don't think he's top quality, I would say there are probably around 50 better strikers in Europe. Berbatov is an average player with a decent touch but, as the Blackburn fans sang yesterday, "he only scores when they're winning"... 7 of his 12 league goals have been in matches Man Utd were already winning. He doesnt forage and graft for chances, Tevez is a significantly better player than Berbatov. He's got either opening goals or goals that gave city the lead in the following 8 games:
Birmingham, Wigan, Fulham, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves, Chelsea, West Ham.
And this doesnt include games where he's got equalisers (like Chelsea away). Tevez is much more likely to get a crucial goal than Berbatov (who seems to specialise in scoring against stretched defences when his team is already 2-3 goals up).
Berbatov and Tevez this season: (Prem League from soccerway)
Player_________Berbatov___Tevez
Mins____________1857_______2494
Apperances______29_________30
Starts__________21_________28
Sub On__________8__________2
Sub Off_________10_________10
Goals___________12_________22
Derived (Averages)
Player_________Berbatov___Tevez
Min/goal________154________113
Goals/game______0.41_______0.73
Goals/start_____0.57_______0.79
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves' long-term future is again unclear after he suffered another injury setback.
Hargreaves, who has been hampered by a series of knee problems, will miss the start of the season.
The midfielder made only one substitute appearance in the last campaign after missing 18 months of action through injury.
He did not have enough time to make England's World Cup squad but it was hoped he could join United on their summer tour.
They leave for their training camp in Chicago on Monday but instead Hargreaves is having further treatment.
It is a massive blow for the player especially as United's first match is in Canada, where he was born and raised, against Celtic in Toronto a week tonight.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: 'The bad news is that Owen Hargreaves is back in America seeing a specialist.
'He will not be ready for the start of the season. I do not know when he will be back.'
Former United striker Andy Ritchie added: 'It is just one thing after another. You have got to fear for the boy's future. Let us hope it is not as bad as we all fear.'
Please please keep 'Agent Moyes'...
;)
Moyes could always replace Dave Jones...
Is there a no thanks button?
To Dave Jones?