Dimitar Berbatov Shines in a Bland Manchester United Showing

Yet another disappointing loss in the Red Devils' 2009/'10 season, this time in the FA Cup 3rd round against Leeds United. LEEDS UNITED!

I don't think there is any way to reasonably explain this, largely because this result is beyond reason.

I know most United fans are already trying to look at the bright side and thinking of how United's fixtures are going to be less compounded and how the players will be less fatigued, but this is a loss nonetheless, and another chance of winning a trophy passing United by.

The first step to getting past a disappointing and largely shocking upset loss (at Old Trafford at that!) is to analyze what went wrong, and many things did today.

First off, Gary Neville is no longer fit to play for Manchester United.

I don't understand how he can be considered a fullback as his passing is atrocious and crossing is non-existent.

He provides absolutely nothing when going forward and he is incapable of aiding the attack.

Why was Rafael benched today after his dazzling performance against Wigan Athletic?

The rest of the back four where solid picks, seeing as due to injuries to the rest of the squad they were basically the only ones available.

Wes Brown and Johnny Evans were quite disappointing with their performances today, but by and large this was due to United's lightweight midfield.

Ferguson really went with youth today, picking Gabriel Obertan on the right, Darron Gibson and Anderson as the two central midfielders, and then Danny Welbeck out on the left.

Three out of this midfield four are known primarily for their attacking attributes (Obertan, Anderson, and Welbeck), and Darron Gibson hasn't really shown to be great defensively (although he's certainly shown that he''s got a wicked shot).

This very offensive-minded midfield failed to act as a foil and cover the back four when necessary, thereby putting more pressure on Wes Brown and Johnny Evans than there ever should have been.

Rooney and Berbatov both played quite well, with the latter impressing.

Every meaningful forward incursion by United, every biting attack was conceived by Dimitar Berbatov's wonderful feet.

He rarely lost the ball, he made numerous runs, and I for one cannot remember the number of times he set a teammate on a run that really could have resulted in a goal.

All of United's best attacking movements came through the Bulgarian; his passing was truly exceptional.

Dimitar Berbatov was definitely Manchester United's best player on the pitch on that day, yet Rooney once again received all the plaudits.

This is how Matt Monaghan, from Goal.com UK saw the two forward's performances:

Berbatov: 5-The invisible man all afternoon. When the chips are down, the Bulgarian has a propensity to disappear and today was another case in point.

Rooney: 7-Lone beacon of class amongst a rag-tag bunch of players. The Leeds defenders couldn't take the ball off his toes. Tried to fire United in to game, but couldn't convert.

Really? Really Matt? The defenders couldn't take the ball off Rooney's toes?

I specifically remember Rooney dawdling on the ball, not knowing what to do, and then getting absolutely robbed late in the second half by one of Leeds' midfielders who was tracking back. He also missed a myriad of chances.

And Berbatov "the invisible man"? Every attacking move, every forward pass come through Berbatov; what game was he watching?

At least the fans on Goal.com saw things as I do and rated Berbatov "Top of the Match" (found here ).

Lastly, Ferguson once again made mistakes, first with his starting 11, and then with his substitutions.

He subbed in Valencia, Giggs, and Owen for Obertan, Anderson, and Welbeck.

What he should've done is subbed in Valencia for Welbeck, thereby moving Obertan out on the left where he has previously prospered.

His next step should've been to replace Anderson and Gibson with Carrick and Giggs, or replace one of those and sub Owen for Rooney.

By putting Owen, Rooney, and Berbatov on at the same time he destroys any sort of tactical balance the team has and this leads to the three forwards stepping all over each other's boots.

Since Berbatov is the creative one and the one that had been playing the better of the two, logically Rooney would be the one to be hooked.

Of course, everything is a lot easier to analyze and critique in hindsight, but even at the time of the substitutions I could tell this wasn't going to work.

Manchester United's sixth loss of the season comes at a time when they generally buckle down and seal the deal in terms of the league, however this won't be the case this season if the Red Devils continue playing like this.