Berbatov | Fulham player

[MacMUFC]

Have you been sleeping this season ? In what way Berbatov's presence hindered Welbeck and Hernandez ?
They are in front of him in the pecking order clearly so your comment is a bit weird

Berbatov deserves to be playing. I dont know why this is so hard for some people to understand, given that players like Phil Neville and Wes Brown who used to first team regulars at one point moved on because they deserved regular playing time and their transfers allowed the younger players coming through.

 

[Bryan_Munich]

He's clearly at a stage in his career where winning trophies is more important to him than playing every week.

If he's happy with that, what's the problem?

 

[Varun]

boo fecking hoo. we've got plenty of younger players coming through that should be playing regular football, so in my eyes its only right than an extremely gifted player who has been here for 3 years and hasn't completely adapted to our style of play and finds himself on the bench moves on.

We do not have cover for rooney which is Berba's role in the squad atm. and guess what, he's happy to do so. i dont understand why you're so adamant that he should leave when he's happy to play his role in the squad.

Him staying is holding the likes of Welbeck and Hernandez back who deserve regular playing time above Berbatov.

what? how the feck is berba holding back hernandez and welbeck when they've been starting games ahead of him this season?

 

[Varun]

Berbatov deserves to be playing. I dont know why this is so hard for some people to understand, given that players like Phil Neville and Wes Brown who used to first team regulars at one point moved on because they deserved regular playing time and their transfers allowed the younger players coming through.

i dont think you understand his role in the squad tbh. brown left because we have adequate cover at both RB and CB. We have no cover for rooney if he gets injured other than berbatov. thats his role in the squad. or are you saying we should play a front 2 of welbeck and hernandez if rooney gets injured?

 

[Orton]

I wonder what his role in the squad actually is though, i mean before he used to sit out certain big games, and European ties and now he is not playing at all. Carling cup? Fa cup? Sounds like the same thing that happened with Tevez the year we signed Berb. We played some games last year with Rooney and Berbatov and some of the performances were fantastic. I reckon he'll be out in january and if not definitely next summer. Gotta feel for him, but the guy cost 30 million and he is 4th choice and now behind Welbeck and Hernandez in the pecking order. I'd love for him to come into the side and score some goals but if he's a bit part player i doubt that'll happen.

 

[Shimo]

I think Berba is class but, that interview made me want to strangle him. I guess he really is a private person that doesn't want to really go outside his comfort zone. But, as long as he loves playing for United and keeps up the terrific attitude - I'll take it.

 

[kouroux]

Berbatov deserves to be playing. I dont know why this is so hard for some people to understand, given that players like Phil Neville and Wes Brown who used to first team regulars at one point moved on because they deserved regular playing time and their transfers allowed the younger players coming through.

Whoever deserves to start games for United will IMO.Yes the development of younger players is important but SAF wouldn't give so much playing time to Welbeck and Hernandez if he felt they haven't earned it.
It's how tough a manager's job is, to keep developing younger players while satisfying others.
Right now Berbatov doesn't deserve to play more than Welbeck and Hernandez

 

[Escobar]

boo fecking hoo. we've got plenty of younger players coming through that should be playing regular football, so in my eyes its only right than an extremely gifted player who has been here for 3 years and hasn't completely adapted to our style of play and finds himself on the bench moves on.

Do you see a better 3rd striker than him? Weird when ppl wanna have quality players shown the door

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Berbatov deserves to be playing. I dont know why this is so hard for some people to understand, given that players like Phil Neville and Wes Brown who used to first team regulars at one point moved on because they deserved regular playing time and their transfers allowed the younger players coming through.

There is nothing more stupid than wanting a top, experienced player who is happy to be an option off the bench to move on. Just so that you can have a youngster in his place to moan about instead..

 

[finneh]

He's clearly at a stage in his career where winning trophies is more important to him than playing every week.

If he's happy with that, what's the problem?

There is nothing more stupid than wanting a top, experienced player who is happy to be an option off the bench to move on. Just so that you can have a youngster in his place to moan about instead..

As a backup to Rooney he is a terrific option to have. There are two main issues which will dictate whether he stays as this terrific option after January/the end of the season in my opinion:

a) What happens when the situation crystallises that we are currently paying a backup player £5m a year. Is he really going to take a "backup" players' wage?; and

b) Whether Fergie thinks that we can promote/buy someone who will be a good backup player, whilst at the same time pushing to be first or second choice.

The first situation is the one that I find very interesting. I highly doubt we will extend our 1 year option at the end of the season on his current salary and therefore if we do keep him as a great backup, will he accept the inevitable salary drop? This will lead to a situation where all of his incredibly brilliant loyalty will be tested: does he really just love playing for a big club and want to win trophies no matter what, or is he just happy to be being paid a lot for doing... not a lot?

The second scenario will depend upon the likes of Macheda's progress and if Fergie has his eyes on a younger player, which he thinks could be world class.

 

[Commadus]

The more I think about it the salary is not that major an issue. Lets say we have someone else who is up and coming. Say they are on 2.5m s year that means what we are saving is about 2.5m. Which will be about 1% of our turnover I think.

 

[sammsky1]

He's clearly at a stage in his career where winning trophies is more important to him than playing every week.

If he's happy with that, what's the problem?

I agree. Why is everybody making a problem out of nothing? Rooney will get an injury at some point this season (hopefully a short one) or need a good rest and that when Berbatov will play his role. Im delighted we have such experienced stength in depth who are happy to be at the club. Players like Park and JOS who just left, they want to play for Manchester United, and have the quality to do so and have been around long enough to know the score.

Berbatov kicked out Tevez .... so he wont be too phased by being sidelined by Hernandez or Welbeck. And having Barbatov and Owen at Carrington can only be beneficial for unpolished diamonds like Hernandez, Bebe, Welbeck and Macheda.

SAF is building his next legacy so that when his replacement comes, its seamless. I hope that replacement is OGS with Giggs as assistant. I've gone off Mourinho. Will keep the machine ticking over nicely.

 

[sammsky1]

There is nothing more stupid than wanting a top, experienced player who is happy to be an option off the bench to move on. Just so that you can have a youngster in his place to moan about instead..

agreed! its great the young uns have done so well .... but anyone remember what happened to macheda after such an amazing start? im sure welbeck will develop into an outstanding talent ..... but come November, we will see him alot less and berbatov will feature alot more. im delighted he is n our squad.

has everybody have forgotten 99/00 treble so quickly? Sheringham made about 15 starts only .... but when it counted in the FA cup final and CL final..... you cant beat having experience when it comes to the business end of the season and i expect berbatov to contribute fully.

 

[sammsky1]

As a backup to Rooney he is a terrific option to have. There are two main issues which will dictate whether he stays as this terrific option after January/the end of the season in my opinion:

a) What happens when the situation crystallises that we are currently paying a backup player £5m a year. Is he really going to take a "backup" players' wage?;

The first situation is the one that I find very interesting. I highly doubt we will extend our 1 year option at the end of the season on his current salary and therefore if we do keep him as a great backup, will he accept the inevitable salary drop? This will lead to a situation where all of his incredibly brilliant loyalty will be tested: does he really just love playing for a big club and want to win trophies no matter what, or is he just happy to be being paid a lot for doing... not a lot?

If that is what SAF decides, I think he would accept this. he was a MAJOR HUGE contributor to our winning the league last year. He has gone on record to talk about his love for the club and his desire to retire at the club and he is a quality quality footballer who does not have hissy fits and is mature and team minded enough to accept the situation.

Its only an issue because fans on boards like this make it one. Leave the poor fella alone, he won us the title last year whilst Rooney was having a prat attack - for that alone, he deserves our unreserved support, loyalty and admiration.

 

[kouroux]

There is nothing more stupid than wanting a top, experienced player who is happy to be an option off the bench to move on. Just so that you can have a youngster in his place to moan about instead..

It's madness tbh.I mean Berba (so far this season at least) is behind Welbeck and Hernandez in the pecking order.He hasn't complained about it, au contraire he's only been praising the club and the coach.
A player of his quality who can create no fuss when not playing as much he'd like is a blessing tbh.We should be happy about his pro attitude.
If he wanted to leave I'd understand him and I wouldn't support his move, I'd like to stay at United cause it'll be near impossible to find someone of that ability and who is willing to stay on the bench

 

[finneh]

If that is what SAF decides, I think he would accept this. he was a MAJOR HUGE contributor to our winning the league last year. He has gone on record to talk about his love for the club and his desire to retire at the club and he is a quality quality footballer who does not have hissy fits and is mature and team minded enough to accept the situation.

Its only an issue because fans on boards like this make it one. Leave the poor fella alone, he won us the title last year whilst Rooney was having a prat attack - for that alone, he deserves our unreserved support, loyalty and admiration.

Nowhere in my post did I suggest that he doesn't deserve our support, or that he didn't have a good season last year. My only point was that at a fiscally responsibly club like United I doubt he will continue to be paid the wages he is currently on.

As I said his loyalty/love for the club will be highlighted when/if he is offerred a reduced wage packet. I'm sure most players would be loyal being paid £100,000 a week to be a backup.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

.... I highly doubt we will extend our 1 year option at the end of the season on his current salary....

Why not? When we have extended the careers of Van de sarScholes, Neville and Giggs? Did we make them take pay cuts?

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Why not? When we have extended the careers of Van de sarScholes, Neville and Giggs? Did we make them take pay cuts?

To be fair we did make them take pay cuts:

Neville to follow Giggs and agree new one-year deal at Manchester United | Mail Online

Although I doubt we would have made Van Der Sar take one as he was playing week in week out.

 

[Shimo]

Nowhere in my post did I suggest that he doesn't deserve our support, or that he didn't have a good season last year. My only point was that at a fiscally responsibly club like United I doubt he will continue to be paid the wages he is currently on.

As I said his loyalty/love for the club will be highlighted when/if he is offerred a reduced wage packet. I'm sure most players would be loyal being paid £100,000 a week to be a backup.

When I see statements like this about players, I think it is borne more out of what they would be like in a situation like that based on their situation in life. For us normal people, that work for a living, probably not doing something we are absolutely passionate about - we'd probably be happy making buttload of money compared to our peers and then just sit around on the bench, maybe reading The Caf or playing solitaire.

But, professional footballers I think are not the same as you and I. Most are doing something they absolutely love and when they aren't playing, it hurts them. That interview with Paddy, Berbatov asked him do you miss playing and Paddy said straight away "Yes".

I don't think anyone of our players would be content sitting on the bench, I don't take having a great attitude of not throwing a hissy fit as a sign one is just happy to get a paycheck but, more to do with the Club and the manager, that the players respect the ethos of the club and the manager too much.

Berba wants to be playing but, he isn't getting a chance right now which is fair enough based on others performances. The only knock I have against him is that he doesn't outwardly show he is trying harder when he does get his few chances right now. Maybe if he put in more gung-ho displays, he might stay in - cause the only way to show you really care is if you run around the field and put up a smiling face while doing so. Going about the field in what appears to be a don't care attitude is proof that he doesn't care and should probably stay on the bench.

 

[Commadus]

To be fair we did make them take pay cuts:

Neville to follow Giggs and agree new one-year deal at Manchester United | Mail Online

Although I doubt we would have made Van Der Sar take one as he was playing week in week out.

That seems sensible that we cut their pay as we dont need their services as much. If we use our one way contract clause then it would be at the same terms he is currently on. If we let it expire then Berba would walk away unless we offered him something competitive.

 

[finneh]

Why not? When we have extended the careers of Van de sarScholes, Neville and Giggs? Did we make them take pay cuts?

Firstly I'm sure they all did take pay cuts to stay on. Secondly even if they didn't they were all legends in their own right, they would deserve to be paid a wage until the day they retire just based upon what they've done for the club previously.

I don't think anyone of our players would be content sitting on the bench, I don't take having a great attitude of not throwing a hissy fit as a sign one is just happy to get a paycheck but, more to do with the Club and the manager, that the players respect the ethos of the club and the manager too much...

That's quite possibly very true, but you never really know until the situation is tested. Everyone used to say "Rooney would play for minimum wage"... we all know how that turned out.

You know as well as I do that there are players out there happy to just pick up a fat pay cheque, whether Berbatov is one of them I have no idea. Most players when it becomes apparent that they won't play frequently get discontented as all they want to do is play.

That seems sensible that we cut their pay as we dont need their services as much. If we use our one way contract clause then it would be at the same terms he is currently on. If we let it expire then Berba would walk away unless we offered him something competitive.

That's my point, I don't think we will activate our clause on his current terms. I think it is much more likely we offer him say a 3 year deal on c. £50,000 a year. Whether he accepts or not is the loyalty question I referred to earlier.

 

[evra]

Enjoyed that interview, thanks for posting.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Firstly I'm sure they all did take pay cuts to stay on. Secondly even if they didn't they were all legends in their own right, they would deserve to be paid a wage until the day they retire just based upon what they've done for the club previously.....

For me if they took pay cuts, anyone can take pay cuts. I just never believed we had cut their wages as they stayed on.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

To be fair we did make them take pay cuts:

Neville to follow Giggs and agree new one-year deal at Manchester United | Mail Online
.....

Interesting. I never knew that at all!

 

[Laphroaig]

Berbatov Meets Paddy - 4th October 2011 - HTTP - MUTV

Spoiler

http://pakmans-footy-blog.blogspot.com/2011/10/berbatov-meets-paddy-4th-october-2011.html

This is great.

Crerand: Do you meet a lot of people when you go out?
Berbatov: But I don't go out.

Crerand: Do you play golf?
Berbatov: *sneers* Hah, golf!

Crerand: Do you not go out to the pubs?
Berbatov: Pubs? I do not understand the pubs.

Berbatov: I am 30 years old! After the games I am... I will not say the word.

He is quite the recluse. (Or in the words of Paddy: "a miserable so-and-so".) And he'd be happy to live in a tent as long as he plays for United.

 

[giggs-beckham]

I love paddy but his interview technique was uncomfortable to watch there. Berba is so laid back and lazy, no wonder he doesn't really mind it sat on the bench.

 

[Laphroaig]

Yeah, he interrupted Berbatov quite a bit in the middle of interesting stories.

 

[evra]

This is great.

Crerand: Do you meet a lot of people when you go out?
Berbatov: But I don't go out.

Crerand: Do you play golf?
Berbatov: *sneers* Hah, golf!

Crerand: Do you not go out to the pubs?
Berbatov: Pubs? I do not understand the pubs.

Berbatov: I am 30 years old! After the games I am... I will not say the word.

He is quite the recluse. (Or in the words of Paddy: "a miserable so-and-so".) And he'd be happy to live in a tent as long as he plays for United.

He's basically the Larry David of centre-forwards.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

I've said it before and I will say it again.

Berbatov is an amazing player with some of the silkiest skills in the world.

He was slated for not scoring in his first 2 seasons then went ahead (While our Talisman was acting a fool mind you) and led the feckin league in scoring and scoring a feckin hattrick with an insane bike-kick against Liverpool to and won the game. He also didn't take any penalties. Ya he scored in bunches but getting 20 goals without penalties in the the English league is some accomplishment.

But Berbatov has missed some HUGE chances for us that could have made him a hero. The sitters against City, the poor game against Chelsea a few seasons back and the sitter against Basel.

Fergie remembers these things and it is obvious that he doesn't trust Berbatov when the chips are down.

Fergie has more trust in Owen as Owen has scored some incredibly important goals coming off the bench like the one against City, rescuing a point against Bolton? or was it Blackburn? and generally looked like a goal threat in other opportunities.

feck. Berbatov is the most polarizing figure in my time supporting United.

Carrick is coming close and last Christmas Rooney was close too.

It's a fecked up situation really. I for one want him to stay because the quality he has is crazy.

I guess I just rambled there because I really don't know how I feel about Berbatov.

 

[Anduin]

We'll be glad to have him in the squad (asme with Owen) when the going gets tough in the run-in. What a set of strikers Fergie can choose from... amazing!

 

[kietotheworld]

Fergie remembers these things and it is obvious that he doesn't trust Berbatov when the chips are down.

Fergie has more trust in Owen as Owen has scored some incredibly important goals coming off the bench like the one against City, rescuing a point against Bolton? or was it Blackburn? and generally looked like a goal threat in other opportunities.

If Ferguson does think that then it's baseless - Berbatov came on and scored a winning goal against Bolton last season, he's scored a last minute winner against them before as well, his third against Liverpool to defeat them 3-2 came in the last 5 or 10 minutes. Owen has come on in plenty of matches and done nothing.

 

[Northstand]

Even allowing for the relative mediocrity of the opposition, he surely has to be in contention for a start at the weekend; the man has so much quality, and tonight he allied it to determination and work-rate.

 

[Kelvin]

Even allowing for the relative mediocrity of the opposition, he surely has to be in contention for a start at the weekend; the man has so much quality, and tonight he allied it to determination and work-rate.

nah one good game agaisnt a pub team doesn't warrant him a start, it be Rooney with Hernandez/ Welbeck again.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

nah one good game agaisnt a pub team doesn't warrant him a start, it be Rooney with Hernandez/ Welbeck again.

According to you, they were an absolute disgrace, shameful, embarrassed the club, etc, etc, etc. You couldn't shut up about it. Now you want them to start again?

 

[All 3 United]

I could not believe he did not come on against City when we went down to 10. Best in tye business at holding up the ball and waithing for support.

 

[MG]

I could not believe he did not come on against City when we went down to 10. Best in tye business at holding up the ball and waithing for support.

We would have still lost but perhaps not quite as heavily if he'd been on the pitch.

Not sure about that though. The midfield leaving the totally clueless defence exposed was the main reason for the defeat after all, attack were completely uninvolved in virtually the whole game.

 

[nemanja15]

He deserves a chance on Saturday for me. Hernandez and Welbeck haven't looked all that sharp the last few games, although that may partly be down to poor service, but all the same, Berbatov will be confident and fresh, especially with last season's game at Goodison in mind (at least until 89 minutes anyhow).

 

[evra]

My guess is he will start on Saturday.

 

[Longlivekeano]

I would actually play him as an attacking midfielder in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Spares him the agony of statistical nutcases and he gets to create chances and have the ball in dangerous spaces, where our current players lack the brains to unlock defenses and simply pass it sideways before crossing it from the flanks. De gea, rafael, rio, vidic, Fabio, fletcher, nani, young, berbs, hernandez, Rooney

 

[Siorac]

A 4-1-2-1-2 does not work with wingers. We'd be torn apart through the middle. Even Keane would not be able to hold the central areas all on his own.