Dimitar Berbatov has pledged to score another 20 goals this season as United gear up for Premier League, FA Cup and Champions league titles!
Striker Berbatov spent most of Saturday's Manchester derby on the bench as Wayne Rooney grabbed the headlines with his overhead wonder goal.
But the Bulgarian said:
"Everything's going well for me this season and if we can win the title it will be even better.
"That's my main wish. If in May we've won the title and I'm there to lift it, then it would be a personal best for me."Winning the 19th league title is very important at Manchester United. I'd love to do that for Alex Ferguson, who's been here almost 25 years, as well as my team-mates and the fans."
Berbatov has notched 20 goals this season and hopes to double that number by the end of this season with some crucial League, European and FA Cup games lined up in the coming future.
He said: "We still have a lot of games left in the league, as well as matches in the FA Cup and the Champions League. We want to reach the final in both those competitions, so that gives me plenty of time.
The Bulgarian striker is now on a newly renewed 5 year contract with United until 2015 is also rumoured to be offered a new deal soon. This may be a massive salary of £175,000 which would still be a good £75,000 short of Rooney's who has only scored 6 goals so far this season.
United have won another double – after Sir Alex Ferguson and Dimitar Berbatov were named Barclays Manager and Player of the Month respectively.
The Reds are renowned for moving up a gear at the turn of the New Year and this season has proved to be no exception. Sir Alex’s side won 13 points from a possible 15 in January to maintain an unbeaten league run in 2010/11. The only draw they faced was at Spurs which was a very close game indeed. (Read the Match Report.)
While the boss has now won the monthly award an unprecedented 25 times, Berbatov picks up the gong for the first time on his own after sharing it with former Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane in 2007 during his Spurs days.
The Bulgarian marksman struck five goals in January to take his tally to 19 this season, including two in the Reds' sensational come-from-behind victory over Blackpool, a result that could well prove crucial come the end of the campaign.
United are cruising along well, but there are some big games lined up ahead which include Chelsea (both home and away, thanks to snow?), Arsenal and Liverpool (both games away) and Man City (Home).
Ryan Giggs made his presence felt with a cracking goal making it 3-0 before half-time.
Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City Berbatov (2, 31, 53) Giggs (45) Nani (83)
One can safely say, Manchester United stepped on the field with just 1 task up their sleeves: To totally butcher up Birmingham City beyond recognition. And this is precisely what happened as we witnessed Dimitar Berbatov's 3rd hat-trick this season and 8th career-wise. Also some cracking performance from Wayne Rooney, Luis Nani and Giggs who was later subbed with Owen.
FIRST
United lead a formidable attack and after Giggs' substitution, the Red Devils played an Ultra-offenseive formation of 4-3-3 with VDS constantly feeding the Reds with some extra-magnificent long balls.
Despite Berba's third hat-trick of the season, today was just not about Berbatov, it was also about his striking partner: Wayne Rooney who did a brilliant job with constant crosses and assists. Without him, 5 goals on board would have been incredibly tough. So big ups to big lad.
Bad news for United: Rio Ferdinand injured his groin during training and hence could not play in the game.
Good news: Antonio Valencia and Owen Hargreaves are making excellent progress towards full fitness.
MATCH REVIEW:One couldn't have asked for a better start as O'Shea set Berbatov perfectly up for a stunning finish. Then came along some bad news for United as Michael Carrick was injured and had to be replaced by Long-range-shooter Darron Gibson.
Dimitar Berbatov is keen to secure the Premier League's Golden Boot this season – if only because it will give Manchester United a better chance of reclaiming their title.
Although United have won 11 championships since the Premier League was formed in 1992, only three of their players – Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo – have finished the season as leading goalscorer.
Berbatov currently stands on 14 for the season – the same number as Manchester City's Carlos Tevez – and he admits remaining at the top of the pile is a personal target.
"I hope I can stay on the top until the end of the season," he told MUTV. "Obviously the goals I score help the team to win points, which is the most important thing.
"For now everything is going according to plan but there are other players doing well, and not just Carlos Tevez. It is a good competition but when you are at the top, you always look back to see who is coming behind you."
Berbatov also paid tribute to his Manchester United colleague Javier Hernández, who has scored six league goals this season following his transfer from Guadalajara last summer.
"Every time when he goes onto the pitch, the only thing in Javier's mind is to score goals," Berbatov said. "He is trouble for defenders. Everybody knows he is very quick. If you give him space and time he is very dangerous.
"He has done really well and the future is ahead of him because he is still young. I have seen the way he works in practice and after that in the gym. If he keeps going like that he has a great future."
Finding the net often these days- A happy Dimitar Berbatov
The last game of the year 2010 pretty much reflected the story of the season: Away Draws. 18 games on, United are still struggling with away form. 7 of the 8 draws that United have suffered have occurred at opponent's ground. This is something United would be keen to improve in the second half of the season beginning 1st January, 2011! So Berbatov was the last Red Devil to score in 2010. Congratulations to him, this was his 15th goal for United.. his highest with United in a single season so far!
“Christmas came about a month early to Old Trafford.”
And indeed it did, the atmosphere was festive with the full capacity crowd enjoying Berbatov’s moment of magic. His performance was fabulous or to say, Berbalicious.
It was never going to be easy for a Blackburn side to play against a rejuvenated Manchester United at Old Trafford which was ready to welcome its star striker Wayne Rooney, his first start at Old Trafford after his contract saga. And what a reception it was. The fans put all their bitter memories behind and welcomed their favorite with loud and continuous chants of “Rooney Rooney”.
If the game was important for Rooney, it was even more important for his strike partner, Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian had not scored since his match winning performance against Liverpool and with all the rumors that the manager had finally lost his faith in the “lazy” striker and was ready to sell him flying around the pressure on his was immense.
Javier Hernandez will skip his usual pre-match Catholic prayer at Ibrox where there are plenty of anti-Catholics
Javier Hernandez maybe forced to abandon his pre-match Catholic prayer when Manchester United face Rangers in Glasgow on Wednesday week.
Deeply religious Hernandez – nicknamed Chico – kneels on the centre spot and prays before kick-off in every game he starts. But it is believed United boss Alex Ferguson – a former Rangers player – will advise the 22-year-old to ditch his ritual at Ibrox.
Rangers fans have already vowed on websites to target Hernandez if he goes through his normal routine and that will worry Ferguson who is anxious for United’s visit to pass peacefully.
Javier Hernandez aka Chicharito is devout Catholic
Rangers officials say there is no question of them banning Hernandez from his usual pre-match routine, which he started in his native Mexico.
But he runs the risk of antagonising anti-Catholic Rangers supporters if he is included in boss Ferguson’s line-up when the teams meet at Ibrox.
Hernandez played against Rangers at Old Trafford but Ferguson realises the atmosphere is far more volatile in Glasgow, notorious for religious sectarianism.
Does this indicate that Sir Alex aims to start with Rooney and Chicharito up front and ditch Dimitar Berbatov?
Dimitar Berbatov has picked up the first PFA Fans' Player of the Month award of 2010/11 after his excellent start to the campaign.
Sir Alex declared "this could be Dimitar’s season" after his wonderful goal in the Community Shield and, judging by the Bulgarian's form since then, the Reds boss could well be right.
Dimi's first Reds treble took his tally for the season to six and he hailed Ferguson as "one of the most successful managers in the history of the game".
"I write things down about the way we train and how he treats people. It is like a school," he said. "You work with the best manager and play with the best players. I try to learn. I am at the biggest club in the world. If I can learn anywhere it is here."
Meanwhile, Brazilian defender Lucio, who played alongside Berbatov at Bayer Leverkusen, says the Reds frontman is up there with the best players in the world.
"With the natural ability that guy has, we could be talking about him being the world player of the year this season," said Lucio.
"I've played with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Wesley Sneijder – and Berbatov is as naturally gifted as any of them. It took him time to adjust at United but, once he did, I was always confident he would hit this sort of form.
"He is now entering his peak years and I am sure he will get better and better"
Super-striker Berbatov has revealed the reason for his tremendous success right from the kick-off of this season. Dimitar Berbatov, who has been rather ineffecient in the past two years at Old Trafford. But this season, when Manchester United looked pale with Rooney's terrible form, he emerged as the saviour!
On being questioned for the reason of this form outburst Berbatov has admitted that the £30.75million fee United paid for his services put pressure on him and affected his performances. He said he spent countless hours thinking what needs to be done to live up to the faith Sir Alex has in him. It was then the spark got the fuel and finally this season Berba is at the top!
He said: “Every player has periods (of self doubt) in their careers and the main thing to learn is to stay strong, because you are going to have dark moments and you need to be strong to get through them.
“You try not to think about (how much a club paid for you). But sometimes you just can’t help it. You start thinking money and now what’s going to happen if you don’t prove good enough for that amount of money and you don’t score enough goals.”
With 6 goals in the Premier League so far, he is already at the top of the table sharing his position with the Chelsea star Malouda. Add to it he scored the goal against Chelsea in the Community Shield fixture!
TheReDevilSpot wishes Mitko(as he is known in his home-country), all the best!
The road to February, Wembley Stadium, an occasion when United may lift the Carling Cup trophy for the third successive time is inching nearer as United see Scunthorpe United tomorrow.
Match Highlights. Berbatov scores a awonderful second over-head goal for Manchester United and then completes a marvellous hat-trick by scoring the final winning goal in 84th minute. It's a 20 minute Match Highlights, so enjoy resposibly*, Old Trafford 19-9-2010
Dimitar berbatov after the amazing winning hat-trick goal!
Celebrations after the stunning 2nd goal! as Howard Webb looks on
3rd goal
The all-time best Dimitar Berbatov over-head goal! SUPERB!
Into the net, Reina doesn't move
Wonderful goal needs wonderful celebrations
Easy first goal
Emphatic, Elegant, Bulgarian Dimitar!
"Enjoying the crunchy game Roy?"
Joe Cole was a menace.
See Fletcher moving
Before Fletcher started to move away from the United wall.
Sir Alex's arrogance costs United money! Sir Alex said Fernando Torres is a cheat to get O'Shea sent off
All hail Dimitar Berbatov - the awesome Bulgarian Striker who rescued Manchester United from a yet another heart-throbbing Manchester - Liverpool derby. This one was one of the finest. Dimitar Berbatov's goals against Liverpool shall be remembered till this world ends. They were absolute stunners. Especially the second over-head goal which was absolute beauty! It relived all those Eric Cantano (the famous French striker who also featured in the film - "Looking for Eric") days which were filled with a surprise sense of play. Berbatov's game today can be compared to all those legends who spent their days at Old Trafford - Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Sir Ryan Giggs.... now may I introduce - Sir Dimitar Berbatov...
Tribute to Dimitar Berbatov
It can be fully agreed that the second goal was one of the best one has ever witnessed in the history of football. The second was a blind goal with marvellous sense of class and perfection. It was the DIMITAR BERBATOV's goal. The goalkeeper Pepe Reina didn't get a chance to move. There was a sudden roar in the stadium after that goal - one could have anticipated the hat-trick goal as well sometime soon. Thanks to John O'Shea, who was otherwise sluggish in the whole game and produced a silly 2nd goal opportunity for Liverpool, for the lovely cross right in front of Dimitar Berbatov. Dimitar fired his 3rd which meant United were in front. This hat-trick was the first one in a Liverpool-Manchester derby in 64 years since 1946. Only magicians like Dimitar berbatov can do this job and he's no less than a Karate Kid. It was a very athletic over-head kick which landed perfectly in the net, a goal Yoga masters around the world would be very happy of. This is to say the least - the Bulgarian really puts in a lot of effort.
The crowd gave a standing applause to the Bulgarian - he had closed his eyes as if he was still dreaming. It's a dream come true for him. He's done something none other player could achieve in over 6 decades! Dimitar Berbatov is the name, remember it! Today's goal were every penny of the massive £30 million spent on him 2 years ago to buy him from Tottenham Hotspurs where he scored many such similar Hat-tricks.
Berbatov's second goal was the pick of the scoring, an overhead kick which went in off the bar, and after the Bulgarian had become the first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in more than 60 years, Ferguson added onSky Sports: "It was unexpected, a surprise attempt. Not many of those go in the net but fortunately it did this time.
Match Review
Apart from Berbatov's impressive hat-trick the game was equally poised. Both teams played well but thanks to Dimitar for producing United with regular break throughs.. United started off with numerous corner kicks, in fact the first goal came from the 7th corner kick in the first half right before the half time at 42'.
The match was full of dirty tackles, a few injuries to Ryan Giggs and Luis Nani who were substituted later on. Nani's performance was brilliant. His strike came in the 56th minute which got hit on the woodwork from the edge of the bos. It was a yet another superb hit from the Portugese. There plenty of yellow cards for United. Rooney, John O'Shea, Evans. For liverpool it was N'Gog who had a striker's chellenge at Darren Fletcher.
From Liverpol's end it was only Steven Gerrards who scored from two set-pieces, thanks to Darren Fletcher for moving away from the wall and inviting Gerrard - the Liverpool demon, to make it 2-2. It was a mesmirizing moment for the sparkling Liverpool.
Desperate situations need desperate measures! United were on full attack. Rooney did a marvellous job in stretching the play to the wings, but it was Dimitar Berbatov who scored a fantastic hat-trick goal from the his 2nd header of the game. The winning goal came in the 84th minute and Old Trafford was buzzing.
Evans gave away a silly penalty! Will he learn?
Ryan Giggs picked up a minor hamstring injury and had to be substituted for late winning striker - Federico Macheda. Anderson came on for his Portugese counterpart- Nani and and Darron Gibson - the awesome Irish "shooter" came on for the hat-trick hero.
Player ratings
Van Der Sar 6 - litte he could do really
Evra - 7.5 - good dribbling and defending
Vidic - 9 - avoided the "Liverpool scare" and did marvellous defending. CAPTAIN! Maintained his strong siberian character.
Evans - 4 - Johnny needs to learn. He can't give away penalties like this. Wake up Johny!
O Shea - 7- despite the poor free-kick give away to Torres, did well with lovely crossing
Fletcher - 6 - average
Scholes - 5.5 - below average
Nani - 7 - super wing display
Giggs - 6.5 - looked just fine, not the best
Rooney - 6.5 - Is he really a striker? Rooney was a shadow of his own reflection, was literally dead. Rooney only long and short passes with no effort to score goals for Manchester United. Rooney is not scoring goals!
Berbatov - 10 - AWESOME! He has started to score goals for Manchester United. Scored 3 goals today against Liverpool. Deserves to be Man of the Match. This was his 7th goal of the season. His performance is on the rise after he quit from the Bulgaria national team.
EDIT (11.00 PM BST)
Match Highlights
Please CLICK HERE to watch Manchester United vs Liverpool in HD. 19/09/2010
Catch us for the Carling Cup game against Scunthorpe United on Wednesday. 22/09/2010
Manchester United veteran, Ryan Giggs, is highly impressed with the way his team is performing this season.With eight different players on the scoresheet so far, Manchester United already look in terrific form. They are always favourites for the title, but with the present quality of execution, they are sure to win.
Giggs expressed that last season it was Rooney all the way with no less than 34 goals,which sure helped the team to gain the second spot, but wasn't enough for the title.United were enjoying the top spot until Rooney injured his foot and missed games. The team lost its backbone, which affected their mental strength as well. Chelsea, on the other hand, were already in high spirits and easily pushed them aside.
"We can’t just rely on Wayne like we did last season, " he told MUTV. "Berba has started on fire - in the games so far, he’s had a lot of chances and he’s putting them away.
"But everyone needs to chip in, midfielders, defenders, everyone. As a team, we need to score a lot more goals from different areas on the pitch."
Meanwhile, Giggs has expressed his happiness for Rooney, who recently ended his goal draught!
Both Carrick and Berbatov, ex Spurs mates, vow to give their 100% to avoid slip ups this year. Could this year be the dream start for Manchester United? They have a reputation of starting slowly in the Premier League....Sir Alex Ferguson's side lost eight times last term as they were beaten to the title by Chelsea by a single point.
Can they live up the expectations this year?
Chelsea began the defence of their crown with a crushing 6-0 defeat of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.And as the Red Devils face Newcastle on Monday, Carrick warned: "There isn't much margin for error."The midfielder added: "Last season was a bit of a freak in terms of how many games both us and Chelsea lost and how many points were dropped.
"Competition is pretty fierce again now.
"Teams who have finished around the Champions League places are looking to break through and you really have to start firing from the off." Carrick expects Newcastle to provide a stern test, though, following their return to the top flight after just one season in the Championship.
"Newcastle will be flying," said Carrick, who hails from Wallsend in Tyne and Wear. "They are back in the Premier League and what better place to start than Old Trafford."They obviously want to get off to a good start and build up some momentum themselves. "It is only two years ago that we played them in the first game at Old Trafford and drew. Hopefully it will be better this time." Magpies boss Chris Hughton admits a trip to Old Trafford is not what he would have chosen for his side's first match back in the Premier League.
"It will be a massive challenge for us," he said. "But this is what we worked so hard for last season to get straight back up into this division. "It's probably not the ideal choice. I think the ideal choice would have been to have a home game."
Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and new recruit Javier Hernandez are all vying for a striking berth in the Manchester United line-up. But the home side will be without centre-half Rio Ferdinand (knee) and long-term injury victims Owen Hargreaves and Anderson.
4) MU vs MLS-all stars, Houston, (US) KO 28th July, 7.30 PM Local time, 1.30 AM British Summer Time Watch it live on MUTV FT Score: TBP Should be a very exciting game! 5) MU vs C.D. Guadaljavar (Chivas) 12.15 AM EDT, 3.15 AM British Summer Time. Watch it live on MUTV FT Score: TBP
Chicharito's first game for United against his ex-team!
Dimitar Berbatov was a revelation at the Celtic game
Happy days! The football season has begun and started in our favour!
Manchester United has recorded its first win of the 5 pre-season games across the Atlantic yesterday in Toronto...
FT SCORE: Man UTD 3-1 Celtics
It has all started off well at Toronto where Man Utd saw Celtics at an exhibition game in Toronto, Canada.
More than half of the players played were from the Youth team inlcuding Cleverly, Macheda, Welbeck, Da Laet.
The game marked the debut for the England U20 Chris Smalling.
Tom Cleverly also featured in this game after being loaned out from Watford.
Not to forget the Frenchman Winger Gabriel Obertan and the Senegal striker Mirame Diuf
Last season's hat-trick hero Mirame Diuf was very sharp against Celtic!
Also, I would like to mention about Darren Gibson, the awesome Irish player.. He really did cause some panic for the Celtic Goalie with his high energy long range shots. Pretty impressive and powerful as always the big man!
Match Review:
The game was perfectly in the balance with both sides coming up with attacks equally. Just as we thought Celtic had begun to have an upper hand on the game, Dimitar Berbatov scored a brilliant goal with a lovely assist from Diuf, the fresh Senegal striker.
Chris Smalling did a ridiculous mistake in the 2nd half to have fouled the Celtic striker to earn the Bhoys a kick from the penalty spot.
1-1, all panicing now except for the red devils who played very cool-ly!
Berbatov set up Danny Welbeck for an easy yet a lucky diving tap into the goal.. 2-1.. things look much more relaxed.. Berbatov is feeling confident and playing some fine football.
Next up we have the talented Tom Cleverly strike a goal from a deflection off the Celtic defender. But you gotta put your hats off the Dimitar Berbatov who was constantly giving good service to others after having scored a wonderful goal in the 1st half.
In the first half we had Ryan Giggs who was constantly being cheered and Paul Scholes really uplifting the game. Giggs was excellent on the wings while Scholes played lovely football by giving long passes - the way he does it! It all seems magical when Paul scholes hits a long shot, you can close your eyes and yet be confident the ball landed in a very much goal scoring situation. On one of the occasions, Obertan really did a good job dribbling through the wings and nearly scored on one occasion. You gotta put your hats off to the "Old Guard"
Fletcher was constantly on the run, winning possession for the Reds. Making essential tackles and showing great promise!
In a nutshell, all the players were desperate to start in the starting XI against Chelsea in the upcoming Community Shield in August.
Player Ratings:
Edwin Van Der Sar - 8 - did good things perfectly, saved one or two shots but had nothing much to do in the game
Chris Smalling - 6 - had a decent game but cost United a penalty, a stoooopid one!
Johny Evans - 8 - looked like a leader
Rafael - 7
Da Laet - 6
Fabio - 7
O Shea - 6
Cleverly - 8 - Awesome control of the ball, this guy seems to have learnt a lot from Watford!
Welbeck - 7 - Good dribbling abilities and scored an easy goal
Macheda - 7 - Decent overall, really should have scored
Diuf - 7 - had an amazing day, provided a great assisted to Dimi
Fletcher - 7 - an Amazing leader. did everything alright.
Scholes - 7 - lovely lovely player
Giggs - 6 - Did OK overall, lacked the attacking display
BERBA - the main man - 9 - 1 goal, 2 assists, what else do you really need? this guy seems to have geared up for the next season and silences all his critics! the boy seems ready to pump it up.
Exclusive Highlights (Now in HD):
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