i dislike him utterly, but he played well enough. it was a tough point, this city side is better than the one last year with players like yaya. no faults with berba for this match.
Dimitar Berbatov | 2010/11 Performances
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Great game last night even if he wasn't a real threat for City defenders (except for that great attempt).He was so good when it came to keeping the ball up top and waiting for others to join in, he made a fool out of De Jong and other on several occasions.
Great performance
Great performance
I think everyone admits that up top alone is not his best role, he can hold the ball up really well but he doesn't threaten in the box enough for the role and we don't have anyone from midfield bombing on beyond him for him to play in, so basically today he did the best he could which was help us control the game.
I agree. Held the ball up well, showed tremendous strength and composure on the ball and gave a performance reminiscent of his form earlier this season. It was always going to be a difficult night for anyone playing up top for us given how deep our midfield was. But all in all a very good performance from him and certainly the best attacking player on the pitch
There was this one moment in the 1st half when he was near the centre circle and wriggled past about 4 citeh players. Absolutely brilliant that was!
I noted that moment, pure brilliance.Also I think it was in the second half were he managed some extra difficult control with his thigh from a very high ball.I was like "wtf ?", the ball stuck on him
He did well.
He just wasnt a threat in the box. Thing is, we know he can be, as he proved greatly against Liverpool
He wasn't a threat in the box because the service from out wide was piss poor. Only one decent cross all night (from Wes brown) and he almost scored a wonder-goal. It's not as though their were quality crosses being fired in but nobody on the end of them.
With Nani having his worst game of the season and neither full-back getting to the by-line (until Wes came on, anyway) it's no great surprise Berbatov wasn't camped in their 6 yard box.
With Nani having his worst game of the season and neither full-back getting to the by-line (until Wes came on, anyway) it's no great surprise Berbatov wasn't camped in their 6 yard box.
Different type of match, different formation with two strikers. Rooney and Berba. Yesterday he was pretty isolated when he stayed in or around the box and as he usually doeswhen he does not get service, starts to drop deeper and look for the ball. A more aggressive line up with Berba and Hernandez would lead to more opportunities but the emphasis was on midfield and defense. To add to this, Nani had an off game creatively.
Berba did well as lone striker taking all into consideration. In reality, had 2 chances, the volley from the right that he hit into the ground and looked like a mixture between a pass and a shot on goal and the great effort later on that unfortunately was straight at Hart.
He was holding the ball very well and had a few good runs after dropping deep and getting the ball.
He did fine, but isn't really the ideal player for this kind of game, alone up front. Didn't help that Nani was off colour. I liked how Hernandez was looking to get behind the defense at every opportunity. It added something to us I felt.
thought he was excellent last night, coolness and pure ability personified but at the same time never really looked like scoring (except for the volley)
shame he wasn't kept on with Chico as i think he'd have appreciated someone running beyond him and could've made all the difference
he's playing well but needs a goal, he'll score against villa
shame he wasn't kept on with Chico as i think he'd have appreciated someone running beyond him and could've made all the difference
he's playing well but needs a goal, he'll score against villa
Yeah, would have been nice to see us finish the game with two up top. That's our standard European away tactics, so you've got to wonder if Fergie knew Berbatov was another flu casualty so always intended taking him off after 70 minutes.
i think fergie knew that had he gone 2 up top Mancini would've followed suit and brought on Adebayor. So even though city were pretty much done for by that stage he perhaps didnt want to risk them catching a lucky break or a set piece and nicking one themselves.
Berbastat
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6653297
Interesting stat is that Berba seems to score half of his goals in the last remaining 1/3rd of a match.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6653297
Interesting stat is that Berba seems to score half of his goals in the last remaining 1/3rd of a match.
Probably because that's when we score most of our goals.
He did well but far from great, not entirley his fault. Some of the ratings in the ratings thread are laughable. He was getting 8's and 8.5's from some.
People so desperate to think he has done better than he actually did.
People so desperate to think he has done better than he actually did.
First half performance deserved an 8. Second half, not even close. Which explains why Fergie subbed him off. Wasn't he one of the flu victims?
He was, like i said the game was not his fault, but he did fade a hell of a lot. I just think some posters are way more generous when rating Berbs than they are with certain other players.
It's the way of the caf. Players that divide opinion get over-the-top criticism after a bad game and over-the-top praise after a good one.
if berbatov added a killer instinct and scored regularly he would be one of the best in the world
his passing and touch last nite were outstanding
his passing and touch last nite were outstanding
Thought he played very well. Put in a very good shift.
Saying that, he's just not as good a lone striker at the scouse prick
Saying that, he's just not as good a lone striker at the scouse prick
He did well when he had the ball with some amazing bits of play in the first half but was completely isolated for the most part - I noticed several times that Berba had the ball and there was just a sea of blue shirts around and in front of him with no support from our lot at all.
Personally I hoped to see Chica come on and link up with Berba but perhaps he was struggling with the virus and had to come off - I reckon City were there for the taking and we could have ripped them apart with 2 strikers.
Personally I hoped to see Chica come on and link up with Berba but perhaps he was struggling with the virus and had to come off - I reckon City were there for the taking and we could have ripped them apart with 2 strikers.
Yup, and we've got an early Saturday game, after a late Wednesday kick-off.
He's guaranteed to start that.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6653297&page=1
Berba's century
Little more than two years since arriving at Old Trafford, Dimitar Berbatov has chalked up his 100th United appearance.
He reached the milestone against Manchester City on Wednesday 10 November, 789 days after making his debut at Anfield in September 2008.
The Bulgarian arrived at Old Trafford from Tottenham Hotspur, saddled with a club-record transfer fee and significant expectations. Not all United fans, it must be said, took to his languid style immediately, but only a handful of supporters remain unconvinced.
A bewitching talent, Dimitar takes as much pleasure in making goals as he does scoring them, and aims to “create beautiful things” every time he steps onto the pitch.
And while he may not boast a strike-rate as high as some strikers who have pulled on the Reds shirt down the years, Berba's all-round contribution can't be faulted. Indeed, the stats we've unearthed bear out his tremendous influence at Old Trafford.
The Reds win more often and score, on average, more goals per game when Berbatov plays. Interestingly, the team concedes fewer goals, too.
A centre-forward will always be judged by his goals, though, and Berba’s strike-rate of one in every three United appearances certainly isn't shabby. It’s also comforting to know that in the 28 games in which he’s found the net for the Reds, United have lost just once (away to Everton in 2009/10). When Berba shines, United do too.
It won't surprise many to learn that Dimitar doesn't tend to explode into games. In fact, he’s never scored for United in the first 15 minutes of a match and only seven of his 33 strikes have come before half-time. Instead, he’s most dangerous just after the interval and just before the final whistle.
What's perhaps overlooked in Berba's game is the no.9’s predatory instinct. He’s often lauded for his approach play and passing in deep positions, and yet almost a third of Berba’s United goals have been scored inside the six-yard box.
It’s a surprising statistic. But then again, we should know by now to always expect the unexpected from Dimitar.
The stats that count
Appearances: 100
Goals: 33
United's results with Berbatov
P 100 W 71 (71%) D 16 (16%) L 13 (13%)
GF 202 (2.02 gpg) GA 72 (0.72 gpg)
United's results without Berbatov
P 39 W25 (64%) D 10 (25%) L 4 (11%)
GF 74 (1.89 gpg) GA 36 (0.92 gpg)
Goals by venue
Home – 20
Away – 12
Neutral – 1
When Berbatov scores
0-15mins – 0 goals
16-30mins – 4 goals
31-45mins – 3 goals
46-60mins – 9 goals
61-75mins – 8 goals
76-90mins – 9 goals
Where Berbatov scores
6-yard box – 10 goals
Penalty area – 19 goals
Outside box – 4 goals
How Berbatov scores
Right foot – 27 goals
Left foot – 2 goals
Head – 4 goals
Berba's century
Little more than two years since arriving at Old Trafford, Dimitar Berbatov has chalked up his 100th United appearance.
He reached the milestone against Manchester City on Wednesday 10 November, 789 days after making his debut at Anfield in September 2008.
The Bulgarian arrived at Old Trafford from Tottenham Hotspur, saddled with a club-record transfer fee and significant expectations. Not all United fans, it must be said, took to his languid style immediately, but only a handful of supporters remain unconvinced.
A bewitching talent, Dimitar takes as much pleasure in making goals as he does scoring them, and aims to “create beautiful things” every time he steps onto the pitch.
And while he may not boast a strike-rate as high as some strikers who have pulled on the Reds shirt down the years, Berba's all-round contribution can't be faulted. Indeed, the stats we've unearthed bear out his tremendous influence at Old Trafford.
The Reds win more often and score, on average, more goals per game when Berbatov plays. Interestingly, the team concedes fewer goals, too.
A centre-forward will always be judged by his goals, though, and Berba’s strike-rate of one in every three United appearances certainly isn't shabby. It’s also comforting to know that in the 28 games in which he’s found the net for the Reds, United have lost just once (away to Everton in 2009/10). When Berba shines, United do too.
It won't surprise many to learn that Dimitar doesn't tend to explode into games. In fact, he’s never scored for United in the first 15 minutes of a match and only seven of his 33 strikes have come before half-time. Instead, he’s most dangerous just after the interval and just before the final whistle.
What's perhaps overlooked in Berba's game is the no.9’s predatory instinct. He’s often lauded for his approach play and passing in deep positions, and yet almost a third of Berba’s United goals have been scored inside the six-yard box.
It’s a surprising statistic. But then again, we should know by now to always expect the unexpected from Dimitar.
The stats that count
Appearances: 100
Goals: 33
United's results with Berbatov
P 100 W 71 (71%) D 16 (16%) L 13 (13%)
GF 202 (2.02 gpg) GA 72 (0.72 gpg)
United's results without Berbatov
P 39 W25 (64%) D 10 (25%) L 4 (11%)
GF 74 (1.89 gpg) GA 36 (0.92 gpg)
Goals by venue
Home – 20
Away – 12
Neutral – 1
When Berbatov scores
0-15mins – 0 goals
16-30mins – 4 goals
31-45mins – 3 goals
46-60mins – 9 goals
61-75mins – 8 goals
76-90mins – 9 goals
Where Berbatov scores
6-yard box – 10 goals
Penalty area – 19 goals
Outside box – 4 goals
How Berbatov scores
Right foot – 27 goals
Left foot – 2 goals
Head – 4 goals
I'm not surprised. He brings others into play and his footballing brain coupled with his technical ability ensures he doesn't give the ball away very often and that in turn prevents our opponents from getting counter attacks.
Cpt. Obvious
So Berbatov is a 2nd half player. Interesting.
Frankly he's been underwhelming in my opinion and his attitude still stinks. But he has been better this season, i'll wait for the 3 year golden rule.
Frankly he's been underwhelming in my opinion and his attitude still stinks. But he has been better this season, i'll wait for the 3 year golden rule.
He's been playing well this season, it's not a drama he's not scoring at the moment, Playing well is what's fundamental
1 in 3 for his position is excellent when you consider he doesn't take free kicks or penalties. I'd like to compare his stats to Gerrard's over the same period when many were claiming him to be best "midfielder" in the world over that period when they were both playing in the same position.
Why not start Hernandez in that case?
Because Berbatov is the better player?
Hernandez is still a long way short of the finished article and was really quite poor as our lone striker against Wolves. Post-flu or not, Berbatov's performance vindicated the manager's decision.
it's a thankless task though, surely, Pogue?
Nothing at all to do with the fact he's been dropped so many times when we've had 'big games' particularly away from home then?
These are always daft stats. We might win 5-0 and he be a bag of shite, or we might lose 1-0 and he's the best player on the pitch
The fewer goals aspect has absolutely nothing to do with him, or are we pretending we defend from the front?
Anyway, nonsense stat analysis aside, thought he put a good shift in last night, not a lot more doing with the service he had. Still being a tit when it comes to his attitude to fellow players which irks me. Really would like him to bag a couple soon because knowing how fragile his confidence is - who can believe after Liverpool we're back to this - it's gunna be a noose around his neck
Technically, Berbatov is a better player than almost everyone, it's his application/style that drives fans nuts.
Definitely. Especially for someone who's relatively short and still getting used to the rigours of a new, more physical, league. Sticking him up against De Jong, the Toures and Kompany would have been setting him up to fail IMO.
exactly, I think Berba did remarkably well considering.
I don't know why he gets such stick over his supposed " laissez faire " attitude - I saw him tackling back on a number of occasions - on one, he won the ball but there was no one up front for him to pass to!
Can't argue with that.
I'm not surprised. He brings others into play and his footballing brain coupled with his technical ability ensures he doesn't give the ball away very often and that in turn prevents our opponents from getting counter attacks.
Cpt. Obvious
Or that SAF doens't play him in the big matches and we opt for 4-5-1. When he plays its with a strike partner.
But you don't just score goals from counter attacks.
How I now see Berba.
Has a reason behind his absense today been given? Illness? Injury? Dropped after being shit at Villa?
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