EPL: Do Manchester United Really Need Dimitar Berbatov?

Barney by Senior Writer Written on July 19, 2008
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They won the Premier League and the Champions League last season and, worryingly for the rest of us, Man Utd are trying to improve their squad further.

They are trying to do this in the form of Dimitar Berbatov. But will he really improve them?

Of course, you could argue that a player of Berbatov's quality would improve any side in the world.

But I just don't see where he would fit in. They have the best attack in the Premier League with Rooney and Tevez who share an understanding not seen since the days of Yorke and Cole.

And behind them is Cristiano Ronaldo.

There is no doubting Berbatov's quality, only Ronaldo and Rooney have been involved in more goals since he arrived at White Hart Lane, but who would you replace?

If you take away Tevez then you lose the outstanding partnership of him and Rooney up front, plus you lose a great deal of work rate, as Tevez works a lot harder than Berbatov.

If you take away Rooney it's more of the same, you lose the partnership and the work rate, plus on his day, Rooney has the ability to rip sides apart. And I don't think he would take too kindly to being repeatedly left on the bench.

Or you could take out Ronaldo. The problem with that is obvious. You lose the best player in the league and a shed loads of goals with it. Unless, of course, Sir Alex is planning to sign Berbatov then let Ronaldo go, which is highly unlikely.

What if they were to replace a midfielder and play Berbatov up front with Tevez and Rooney? Well, I doubt Ferguson would change the formation that has brought him so much success over the years at United.

Besides, who would you leave out? Hargreaves? Nani? Giggs? Park? Carrick? Scholes? They already have too many world-class midfielders (if you can have too many world-class players) without taking another midfield spot away.

I heard someone say that Berbatov would be the perfect replacement for Louis Saha. Well if Ferguson is going to spend £18 million on a striker who, when they aren't on the operating table, are sat on the bench, I would say he's finally lost it.

Man Utd have been reported to the Premier League by Daniel Levy for their interest in Berbatov, a delightful piece of irony I have to say.

I don't, however, believe that United have done anything wrong, nor have Liverpool for that matter.(who have also been reported for their interest in Robbie Keane.)

All they did was say they were interested in a player. What is wrong with telling the media the truth?

However, I think the best thing for Berbatov to do is stay at Tottenham. He won't get as many games at United, and with Tottenham set to be knocking on the door of Europe next season, they are a team on the up.

If he goes to United I can see him being another Louis Saha or Alan Smith.

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written on July 19, 2008 Opinion

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