Has there been a player with a better first touch than Berbatov?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Definitely Rooney.
At United? Mata maybe.
That video is just
That video is just
At United? Don't think so. Incredible first touch.
Probably Iniesta/Zidane.
Best first touch I've seen at United.
In terms of bringing the ball with any part of your body that aren't your feet, Saha and Cantona would be up there.
In terms of bringing the ball with any part of your body that aren't your feet, Saha and Cantona would be up there.
If I ignore anything else to do with the footballer's that will inevitably get brought up in this thread, for example their reputations, achievements, general levels of skill, and just focused upon catching a ball out of the sky and stopping it on a sixpence, I genuinely don't think I've seen a better player at doing that than Berbatov.
Berbatov gets a little over-rated in these kinds of debates because he was so languid. And the only thing aesthetically better than technical excellence is effortless technical excellence.
Ronaldinho.
I havent seen anyone with a better first touch than Berba at United. Mata comes close but Berba made it look so effortless.
Dennis.
What the feck, this video must contain every single working trick or good first touch he has ever done. I mean, I've seen him for years at Leverkusen, saw him playing for you and well...nice player, but you really wanna argue about wether he had the first touch at United? Instantly out of my head even I (and naturally I can't watch so many United games) can name 10 United players which were better.
I still remember a champions league game, not sure who it was against where he came on at the 85th minute with us winning, did nothing of note and at the final whistle killed a long ball with the sole of his boot and it fell like an inch inches from him. Made my day.
His languid approach makes people overrate his touch, Messi kills the ball dead AND accelerates away in a heartbeat
Milan, I think? So cool. I do think the point @Gio made about his languidness making everything look that much better is fair one, definitely with this example.
Like freestyling... belongs in circus... who gives a flying...
Not really. Killing a high ball dead is far more applicable to a game of football than doing keepie uppies while you're lying on your back.
Go on then, could generate some good discussion.
only danny comes to mid . since berba left he was the best at the team
. since berba left he was the best at the teamThat's the one.
Nani and (yes) Valencia both have a really impressive first touch when they're on their game.
Nani's ability to control a high ball (as in when it's like 4ft off the gound when it gets to him) is particularly impressive.
Only if it's translated into the game - these examples aren't. Football is a piece of piss if some crunt isn't kicking you all game.
His first touch was special, but it was his understanding and use of space with that first touch that was sublime. I remember being wowed plenty of times with how he'd do one touch layoffs that were perfectly angled and weighted.
I think Van Persie's first touch is better than Berbatov's but the latter makes weird body shapes and is a bit more languid. So the end result is more aesthetically pleasing. Robin is also probably the best first time shooter of all the United players I've seen.
will always remember this bit of skill
Ronaldo's first touchis also incredible. Not as aesthetic though. The amount of times Scholes belted the ball out to him at incredible pace and it took him one touch to be in a position to attack the fullback.
Pete in putting down a United player shocker.
probably yes. I cant find a video, but against blackpool in the 3-2 game, around 40 minutes, scholes hits a wayward pass and berbatov just plucks it out of the air...
Edit: found it, not a clear vid..
Edit: found it, not a clear vid..
Spurs crunt. The analysis holds.
That touch at 1.40 from Scholes' mishit pass is a joke!
That touch is in the OP's video in better quality, 1.40. It's brilliant.
I like how some of the defenders in that video are completely baffled by the fact the ball doesn't bounce a bit away from him.
i'd say many have been better at that
Miss this guy
I think Ronaldinho is above him but it's a real shame he never really hit it off at United.
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