It is a name that evokes strong emotions and opinions amongst Manchester United fans. For some, the Bulgarian is the purest form of football – art, touch, grace, and a dash of improvisational flair combine to make a player of unrivalled skill. For others, he is a source of constant frustration; the talent outweighed by the lack of product.
After all, the football world values function over form.
Approximately four years ago, this column – on this very website – pressed a ‘Case for the Attack’. It was noted that 4–4–2 was dead, or certainly coming to the end of its days at United. That United must look to the future. That future was 4–3–3.
Over the next three years those advocating the change felt vindicated as United’s brand of attacking, flowing football with the three pronged attack of Judas Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney struck fear into the defences they plundered.
Last season, that changed. Dimitar Berbatov was placed up top with Rooney, and while the former Evertonian excelled in a central role, his strike partner continued to frustrate and confound fans. The season, while successful, petered out without a major trophy.
And that brings us to the first criticism of Dimitar Berbatov.
Previously United’s forward line had movement, flair, pace and an ability to move the ball from defence to attack in seconds. Arguably, with Berbatov in the team, that ability has been severely limited. Too many times the ball goes into Berbatov and comes back towards midfield.
Whether lacking in confidence, or unwilling to turn and attack, Berbatov forces United’s attacks to slow and become more ponderous. Possession football might dominate games, but goals change games.
Important goals change games. Against big clubs and in tight games, a goal at a crucial point in the match can flip a game on its head. Too often Berbatov is responsible for the third of three goals, and very rarely the winning goal.
“But he’s in the mix, in the team, and sets the play” fans counter. Perhaps, but others expect a more concrete return for £30.75 million – a match winner no less.
Berbatov’s statistics show four match winning goals in 2008 / 9. A cursory glance of 2009 / 10 found even less.
So after all the doom and gloom – what hope is there for him?
Secretly, many supporters are slowly being converted by Berbatov. His displays this season betray a new confidence. Crucially, there is more movement around him that the Bulgarian can find with his subtle touches and deft passes. Teams clearly fear the resurgent form of Paul Scholes and have defended deeper and wider, allowing Berbatov more space through the middle. His movement is excellent and he is always available for a pass.
Nani has retained his form from the end of last season. Berbatov and the Portuguese winger have combined well on a number of occasions this season – not least against West Ham United, who between them the pair tore to ribbons. Berbatov’s flicks and tricks seem at last to be finding as much function as form.
The striker’s volleyed third goal, from Nani’s chipped cross, prompted United’s players to flood around the striker. He clearly brings something to the team that his colleagues value highly. Sir Alex Ferguson continues to support the player despite the media criticism, so it is clear the Scot sees something in him as well.
Perhaps a new hero is slowly and steadily rising at Old Trafford.
[table id=7 /]
Dimitar Berbatov: a new hope
(49 posts) (13 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
-
there is no doubt he has class, he is a genius; end of story
but so was Veron and that is the issue with berba - what system fits him to get the best out of him?
that is an irrelevant question because the system United will look to play is to get the best out of Rooney now that the great CR has gone
so for me it's no question or a problem that Berba is taking time to adjust. Now that CR has gone, our set up is focussed on Rooney, NOT Berba.
in the same way we never built a platform for Mega-Flop Veron, we are not nor will ever build a proper focussed platform for Berba
Rooney will always take precedence before Berba even though the latter has more class that Rooney. Similarly, CR would overrule Rooney in terms of position and formation because CR is a more effective weapon although not necessarily better than Rooney per se
Similarly, Keane and Scholes would always win the battle with Veron - the latter being more talented than Keane and on even par with Scholes. And before anyone pipes up, I think Keane was the better midfielder just not a good footballer as Veron.
Let him adjust but everyone be aware that sheer outrageous talent does not always succeed at OT - ask Veron who by the end was reduced to a shadow of himself.
Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice - Steven JobsPosted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered
The guy has the potential to be a European Footballer of the Year. I just hope he gives himself a chance. It looks like the penny’s finally dropped — if it has he could be our best signing of this year! Nani and Fletcher have stepped up to the plate — now for Anderson and Carrick. If everyone hit form of course we don’t need signings. There is definitley a happier feel about the squad this year. If the results come and we get onto a virtuous spiral (free from major injuriy concerns) then there’s every reason to feel very optimistic
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered He does sometimes slow down the play but he also brings a great deal of composure to our attacks. He holds the ball up well and brings others into the game.
The stats provided are interesting as they show a big increase in the number of shots he is taking. In his first season he was taking 2 per game. Now he is taking around 5 per game. A sign of increased confidence.
I thought he played quite well for alot of last season and was unfairly made a scapegoat when the team ran out of steam towards the end of the season. An example of this is that he got the most criticism when sitting on the bench in a couple of important matches where fergie played 451. Just because he was expensive does’t mean he should have played at the expense of choosing the correct tactics to win the match. Very few other players would have been as harshly treated in the same situation.
He has worked hard for the club and never rocked the boat when not picked. He is a loyal player and should be supported.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cheers for the responses.
@sukhy5 - aye, it is the surrendering of urgency and pace in the attack that does annoy me - though I can see the virtues and benefits of his approach in Europe, especially against some of the bigger sides, though Fergie definitely prefers a 4 - 5 - 1 approach against bigger teams. We'll see how he pans out this season - I'm definitely optimistic though.
@danni - is this perhaps a failing in our transfer policy, then? Should we be looking to buy players to fit a system, not just talented individuals such as Berbatov? I have a sneaking feeling that Berbatov was perhaps brought in to compliment Rooney's all action style, but the partnership hasn't quite delivered just yet. I am hoping that can change this season
@bruce thomas - good point on the virtuous cycle. Look at the season the Dippers pushed us close - their overal squad was poor, but they got lucky with injuries and form. We have a significantly stronger squad than they had, so if we can maintain form and relatively free from injuries, I think we can go one better than last season.
@sw - I think your first point is a philosophical point on how you like football to be played, but I can see the benefit in having a player who can hold the ball up. Indeed, I believe his distribution can improve providing our movement around him can improve. I'm positive we can have a better season with Berbatov this season, and some big support from the fans can only make him feel more loved. And I agree - his loyalty should be commended. Let's hope this good start can continue.
Cheers all,
-Ben
Posted 2 years ago # -
ivaninspain
Member
If the press went on and on about the goals he's scored so far this season and the amazing number of assists he'd already be a contender for player of the year. Instead they reserve that for any inconsistent star they choose. Some people are forgiven every little thing not only by fans but especially in the media and if the prss start repeating every day "what a waste of money" so and so is we end up believeing any old shit.
Instead with Berbatov it's been about his poor work-rate and lack of goals. Both have been overly exagerated. I love the way he plays his smart back passes for whoever to shoot, he creates for others non-stop and his football mind seems to be ahead of everone elses.But if he continues like this it won't be long before people get off his back, he's given us many good performances but we're still waiting for a stunning one and it may come soon, at the right moment.
Just one thing. Does he really slow us down? Seems to me his style is meant to add others in attack. And how many goals did we score last season compared to the previous one with CR?Posted 2 years ago # -
bman
Member
Berbatov is a terrific player, and it's not his fault his transfer fee was so large. Like every forward, he's a confidence player, and he's suffered from being stuck in a new team with huge expectations, just as that team is going through a lot of tactical changes following the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez etc.
Most importantly, he's a player that brings out the best in the players around him, so he needs the team's tactics to play to his strengths for him to look good, which is starting to happen. He's not particularly mobile, but he's an incredible passer, and a good pass is faster than the faster player on the planet (who we might also have in Hernandez).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ben Hulston said:
Cheers for the responses.@sukhy5 - aye, it is the surrendering of urgency and pace in the attack that does annoy me - though I can see the virtues and benefits of his approach in Europe, especially against some of the bigger sides, though Fergie definitely prefers a 4 - 5 - 1 approach against bigger teams. We'll see how he pans out this season - I'm definitely optimistic though.
@danni - is this perhaps a failing in our transfer policy, then? Should we be looking to buy players to fit a system, not just talented individuals such as Berbatov? I have a sneaking feeling that Berbatov was perhaps brought in to compliment Rooney's all action style, but the partnership hasn't quite delivered just yet. I am hoping that can change this season
@bruce thomas - good point on the virtuous cycle. Look at the season the Dippers pushed us close - their overal squad was poor, but they got lucky with injuries and form. We have a significantly stronger squad than they had, so if we can maintain form and relatively free from injuries, I think we can go one better than last season.
@sw - I think your first point is a philosophical point on how you like football to be played, but I can see the benefit in having a player who can hold the ball up. Indeed, I believe his distribution can improve providing our movement around him can improve. I'm positive we can have a better season with Berbatov this season, and some big support from the fans can only make him feel more loved. And I agree - his loyalty should be commended. Let's hope this good start can continue.
Cheers all,
-Ben
Ben I think you have aluded the most difficult problem a manager has - find players around a common philosphy or system or build the system around which players are at its disposal. For me it has to be the latter.
Take Wenger and his philosophy which has won him nothing since Viera's last game against United. Then take Fergie or Mourinho who buy and large build a system around a player.
The latter has been proven to be most successful and even the great Barca were pulled apart by Moany's Inter.
The 2008 squad was build around CR and Rooney shunted out wide to accomodate the maurading technical and power house Ronaldo.
Same as Vida - he was bought to compliment the best that was Rio although Vida being the supreme performer he has is widely acknowledge as one of the top 10 even 5 in the world eclipsing even Rio.
Now Rooney is centre stage and Berba simply has to change his game to suit the play thhat supports Rooney. This is absolutely fine because Berba is SUCH an intelligent player who can spot patterns of play and tactics. Ronaldo also is a supremely intelligent footballer having fist hugged the wing, then coming in midfield, then inventing a deathly free kick and then an awesome ariel ability and finally being about to play in centre forward. Giggs also has reinvented himself as a central midfielder.
Rooney however cannot do this - he lacks the brains and subtely, he relies more on instinct and explosive power; he simply would find it too difficult to reinvent himself to support Berba.
It's about time with Berba - together with Giggs, Scholes and possibly Rio he is the purest footballer we have, far more skilful than Rooney - and before everyone starts going nuts, I would still have Rooney since his application is so far ahead of any other player on the pitch, and it's in Europe where I think he will deliver some killer performances.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered I’d put him down for 35 games, 15 goals and 10 assists. In summary a solid contribution.
Should definitely get more game time than last season with the increase use of 4-4-2 by SAF this term.
Posted 2 years ago # -
captainhormone
Moderator
danni, you are seriously talking out of your cunt.....Rooney has the subtlety and finesse that would have made ronaldo up there with the maradonnas etc of this world......its pointless having subtlety and finesse if your contribution to the game is fuck all for the majority of the time
rooneys has better vision and work rate and movement and he is also quicker than BerbatovBerbatov is the footballing equivalent of a white elephant
LKHM
HoofingPosted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Berbatov is an 8/10 Premiership footballer.
He’s not quite world class but he certainly isn’t average or poor by any means.
As stated before, the massive fee he cost has distorted people’s assessment of him.
Posted 2 years ago # -
captainhormone said:
danni, you are seriously talking out of your cunt.....Rooney has the subtlety and finesse that would have made ronaldo up there with the maradonnas etc of this world......its pointless having subtlety and finesse if your contribution to the game is fuck all for the majority of the time
rooneys has better vision and work rate and movement and he is also quicker than BerbatovBerbatov is the footballing equivalent of a white elephant
first, if you read what I said, I said I would take Rooney because of his application, so we agree.
Ronaldo SHITS on Rooney in every aspect of the game except on the pitch application but Ronaldo does not need that because he is that good.
Passing, shooting, dribbling, crossing, penalties, heading, speed (straightline or with ball), endurance (injuries), tactical vision, creativity, Ronaldo FUCKS on Rooney, it's not even close. Now I'm not saying Rooney is pants - he is world class but rather Ronaldo is ELITE class - Zidane, Rivaldo, Fat Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Figo, van Basten, etc.
As Fergie said last seaon, there is only one player he would pay over 50m for and that is CR (and he has Rooney and Rio in his squad).
Berba has more finesse and technical skill than Rooney - that is as plain as a Bulgarian pin-up. FFS, Giggs and Scholes have more technique than Rooney. In some ways Rio is lightyears ahead of Rooney in terms of positional ability, anticipation and awareness, FFS, when Rooney cocks about in defence or at left back its just cringe worthy.
Berba is a better footballer than Rooney; Rooney is the better player than Berba and for the avoidance of doubt I would have Rooney first and Berba to support him.
Here is a test - pick any game, and see how many times Berba looses the ball period, let alone with his first touch and see his pass completion, not side shuffling but forward passing. Now do the same for Rooney. Berba wins every time; hand's down and I don't even have to check.
In terms of end-product sure Rooney will deliver more - that is not in question but that just supports what I am saying, Rooney supported by Berba not the other way around. That is being proved this season to date (ok short so far) since Berba is not the focal point as he was at Leverkusen and Spuds.
Posted 2 years ago # -
captainhormone
Moderator berba always loses the ball in my eyes, he is a frustration, and i disagree re him being a better footballer than rooney too.....
also, i dont know of a single forward for utd or otherwise who is better defensively than rooney too...i could go on, but ive got some emla ream on the go
LKHFaffing
Posted 2 years ago # -
Which just supports my view of "value".
Think back to what happened bro. Fergie and Gill had to meet Berba at Manchester airport and up bid from 25 to about 31 because that cunt Hughes was about 30mins away ready to sign Berba
We started negotiations at 18m then 22m when that cunt Levy finally caved at 25m - Citeh and Hughes entering the fee massively inflated the price but so what. Like I said earlier you have to loss lead and why
BECAUSE BENZEMA SAID FUCK OFF TO US TWICE THAT SUMMER AND WENT TO RM FOR 25M
Value is relative my friend - he wasn't our first choice, hell nor was Benzema, it was some cunt called Torres ...
Posted 2 years ago # -
well OK, still I would rather have Rooney than Berba but Rooney supported by Berba should be magic, esp in Europe where possession is so vital. let the guy develop - he seems to be on the right wavelength so far this season. if not, fuck him out and bring on Owen / Mecheda / SpliffheadBebo
Posted 2 years ago # -
uncleknobheadffs
Member
ugh ffs, I don't care about berbatovs amazing first touch and control under no pressure on the half way line or all this guff about his amazing movement and understanding of space and all the rest of it, all that's just piss weak last saloon bollocks because the stats and his fucking performances show him up for what he really is, ffs who gives a shit how tlrnted he is or any of that shite, this is a 28 year old we're talking about now macheda or someone, he's not good enough, this decent form won't last, infact it'll probably end in our next game since it'll be against everton a hf decent side, then we ont see him again til he scores the all important fourth in our 4-0 win against blackpool, he's bollockless, he hides when it matters, he's not got it in him to play for a big club, he's not a big time footballer, he's a faffing cunt, he's not a united footballer
LKHM
hoofingPosted 2 years ago # -
end of day, transfer window is shut now so bollocks to it, we are stuck with him so might as well make the most of it. if Taggart don't wanna play the youth (no wait, he does but he is bullshitting himself and the fans), then we take what we get. Mecheda and Owen are waiting in the wings as is Bebo, am not worried about frontline - it's the midfield where we will get wanked on in the last 15 mins when Scholes, Giggs and VDS pop out to collect their pension
Posted 2 years ago # -
ivaninspain
Member Hey, this is a fucking brilliant debate.Good stuff fuckers. Having read what Dannii,Captain and Uncle have written in these last posts I'm 100% with Dannii. I just want to add one thing, it's become easy to blast Berbatov when he has a bad match or disappears as some would have it, especially the important matches. I wonder what people around here would have said had it been Berbatov who'd had such a fucking useless CL 2009 Final instead of Ronaldo and Rooney.
To coin two absolute facts from Danii "Berba has more finesse and technical skill than Rooney " and "In terms of end-product sure Rooney will deliver more " So why can't they complement each other instead of one playing for the other? Which is in fact what we're seeing this season.
None shoud be ahead of the other anyway, that doesn't make sense. Berbatov is a totally unselfish forward and so is Rooney but what they really guarantee is everyone scoring goals not just one great player who played for himself and had others doing the same, playing for him. And that's exactly what's going to cost RM in Spain again this year.Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered For me Berbatov is still an enigma. Clearly he’s gifted but,into his third season, I’m not sure he’s suited to United. He does slow play down and he’s not a natural goalscorer. He’s got vision and the ability to bring others into play but nothing is really consistent. For a soo-called front man, mixing it with uncompromising defenders, he’s not particularly brave and tends to get knocked off the ball far too easily. While he seems to be having a “good” season – so far anyway – he should have won that game for us at Fulham. Purely from a striking viewpoint that was a pitiful display. So, given all this, how do you define Berba’s role in the team ? Some here seem to want to denigrate Rooney’s talent when compared to Berba’s. To me that’s nonsense. Rooney’s a far better player technically than you give him credit for. Besides, if you were given the choice who would you rather have in the team ? Absolutely no contest. Berba still has a lot to ptove and I wouldn’t put any money on him doing that by the end of this season. Sadly, I think he’ll go down in United history as being a talented misfit. I hope i’m wrong though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Spike
Member
Has anyone noted that RvN is knocking em in for Hamburg? better than Berbs by miles!
Still sends shivers down me spine when I remember that drawn out RUUUUUUD when he's scored for us!BREAKING NEWS: The Pity Train has derailed at the intersection of Suck It Up & Move On, and crashed into We All Have Problems, before coming to a complete stop at Get the Hell Over It.
MUFC: THE RELIGIONPosted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Ruud is in the top three or so goal scorers ever to play for United. Berba supporters will say there’s a lot more to his game than scoring goals.
Posted 2 years ago # -
madmax
Member
danni's post makes me want to swear at SAF like I've never done before. What has he reduced Rooney??? Probably the most visionary player in the team is being called as a fucking moron.
Rooney is our most creative player bar Scholes. danii, you should be a fuckwit if you think Ronaldo is a far creative than Rooney. If Ronaldo had a footballing brain to go with his skills, he'd be worshiped ala Maradona. He just doesn't have the brains. He'll knuckle down and work on his technique,but the natural ability to see his team mate a fraction of a second quicker or the anticipation to expect Scholes lob the ball from inside the box will not come to him. Ronaldo will always be the finisher. Rooney will be the one who will make others play, make the team tick.
Rooney will play leftback,rightback or wing or even as the GK because he knows he can do that and get back in to the box in time to finish off what he started. He is that bloody good. Surround him with mediocre talents lacking the brilliance Rooney has in his toe nail and you bang on abt him being moron.FFS.
Fuck Berbatov as well.He is a good footballer. But his problem is his lack of spine like knobhead said. He seems to have playing with a lot more to prove this season. Lets see how he fares in critical gut wrenching united moments which we'll be facing a lot of times this season.
Posted 2 years ago # -
madmax said:
danni's post makes me want to swear at SAF like I've never done before. What has he reduced Rooney??? Probably the most visionary player in the team is being called as a fucking moron.Rooney is our most creative player bar Scholes. danii, you should be a fuckwit if you think Ronaldo is a far creative than Rooney. If Ronaldo had a footballing brain to go with his skills, he'd be worshiped ala Maradona. He just doesn't have the brains. He'll knuckle down and work on his technique,but the natural ability to see his team mate a fraction of a second quicker or the anticipation to expect Scholes lob the ball from inside the box will not come to him. Ronaldo will always be the finisher. Rooney will be the one who will make others play, make the team tick.
Rooney will play leftback,rightback or wing or even as the GK because he knows he can do that and get back in to the box in time to finish off what he started. He is that bloody good. Surround him with mediocre talents lacking the brilliance Rooney has in his toe nail and you bang on abt him being moron.FFS.
Fuck Berbatov as well.He is a good footballer. But his problem is his lack of spine like knobhead said. He seems to have playing with a lot more to prove this season. Lets see how he fares in critical gut wrenching united moments which we'll be facing a lot of times this season.
So Rooney is the most creative player bar Scholes because of, well what? Maybe he is creative because he can play "leftback,rightback or wing or even as the GK", jesus you are dumb, it's this typical John Terry "Bleed for Engurland" mentality lets run around the pitch like a dozy cunt, that has reduced Rooney into a shadow of what he should be.
He is a thick cunt because he cannot stay in position. It took Capello a year to convince the dozy twat to stay upfront where he can do the most manage.
Don't start taking the high ground my sayin just because he can play in each position he is "great" or "better than Ronaldo", behave yourself. Fabregas can play upfront or in midfield and he has more midfield talent in his left toe than Rooney will ever have.
Essien can play left back, holding midfield and advanced midfield and he would shit on Rooney in each of those positions. Ronaldo can play on wing, centre of park and upfront - Rooney would only beat him on the front, that is all. You talk about multi-talented, the problem is that he is not multi-talented. He is awesome but wasted by his own stupidity.
Don't commend him for playing in defence or the fact that he would play with an injury or the fact that he would play in goal. Ffs so would Tevez!
He should be slapped down for wasting his talent, for wasting the opportunity to dominate world football. He can still do it but unless he wisens up, no way.
As for Ronaldo, you are deluded, stupid and should get your head tested if you think that an 18 year old show pony, 5 years later went on to produce the single greatest season of any club footballer ever in history. I repeat 48 goals, historic treble including UCL, World Player and European Player plus PFA player and shit loads else.
Ronaldo did the above by developing himself into a show pony trickster with lightening place into the most destructive weapon in world football since Fat Ronaldo. Crossing, heading, free kicks, shooting, speed with and without the ball, endurance being injury free and a ruthless selfish streak and will to be the best. Note, not the will to defend like a cunt when his role is to smash the forward line.
As for Berbatov, I agree with what you say except that he is a better footballer than Rooney but not a better player. Again, in case you have shit in your ears, I would take Rooney over Berba.
1. Just because Rooney is surrounded by mediocre talent and runs around like a headless chicken "bleeding for untied" doesn't make him more creative or a better footballer.
2. I didn't say Ronaldo was more creative than Scholes I said he was more creative than Rooney, which he was a United. Look at the goals he created for himself and others in the five years. Look at the crosses, the runs into the box to create penalties, the dribbles to win free kicks and press opponents - it's not even close, so just shut up on that one.
3. I agree that it's SAFs fault but the fact that Rooney went out in public and told the papers that Capello has made hin focus on staying in box and expending LESS energy runnning like Forest Gump in midfield means that he is a THICK cunt. I can tell you that, ffs, everybody in football can tell you that! Again, it's nice to have a player "help out" and "dig in" and "bleed" for the team: but it's not an 18 century colonial war where you "help your mates out" cos its the "right thing to do" - honeslty you make him sound as if he is a sacrificial lamb - that we shoudl all stand-up and wank him off because he does it. NO. He can fuck-off, he should stay in position and do what he can do best and realise his potential to be an elite forward - the best destroyer that England could have
White Pele, best player since Best; yeah 4 years ago you could have said that, but Rooney is nowhere near the level he should be at: it should be Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Rooney - except that he has grossly underachieved which actually is a compliement to how talent he is. He is however fundamentally a victim of his own enthusiasm for the game. You think that is good, I think that is utterly stupid in today's modern game.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ruud is the best and last of the modern day centre fowards.
Awesome technique, desire, hunger, passion and pure instinct.
Only OGS was technically a better finisher but in terms of a classic foward, the best we have ever had. Shat on the EPL and shat on everyone in Europe.I know we got ripped off when we sold Pique for about 64p but when we sold Ruud for 10m when Shevwanko was bought for 30m, and Ruud went onto be top scorer in La Liga in his first season and win title and still only second to Raul in all time UCL goals, shows how SAF put his own emotions before the interests of the club - we should have got at least 20m and made a 2m profit on the horse faced cunt,
Posted 2 years ago # -
madmax
Member danii after all the drivel you have posted, you just don't get the difference between creativity and technique do you. You'd probably argue that Ronaldo's rebounds from GK's is creativity.
Ronaldo can dribble with his arse all day long,but he can never anticipate and move for the lob Scholes did against Milan few years back like Rooney did. Never has he had the eye for creating a pass or starting a move that Rooney is so good at doing. He has scored bucket load of goals through his speed, skill and his selfishness. His strength is his directness. Yet watch Real when he plays. They are one dimensional. He doesn't make the team play well. He can't create for others. He is the Nadal of football.
Have you forgot how many goals Rooney set up for Ronaldo. Most of our brilliant moves would start with Rooney. Rooney was awesome when he was behind a striker and saw a lot of the ball. Rooney has always drifted all over the pitch and has always wanted to get involved a lot. Thats the Rooney we all loved. He is not Ruud or Inzaghi. He won't be on the last defender's shoulder's trying to break the off side trap.
England want Rooney to stay at the top because they don't have anyone have as talented as him to do that. He roamed all when he had Ruud,Saha or Ronaldo and he was fine. Give Rooney a half good team, the freedom of the pitch and fuck your modern football shite. He'd be gold.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered The problem with Ruud was that he didn’t want to play for United anymore so Fergie had to offload him. Ruud wasn’t really prepared to play alone upfront in 4 5 1 and got thoroughly frustrated doing it. Whether or not the price was right was another matter altogether.
As for being the best ever (striker) for United. More accurately, he’s certainly one of the best along with Law, Viollet & Taylor (T), Stan Pearson & Rowley.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Love how an article about Berbatov has ended up in a rant about how creative or not Rooney is!! Quality. As for that said argument, Rooney is being sold well and truly short by some of you just because he gives his all, is all over the pitch and sometimes ends up at fucking full back, does not mean that he isn’t a creative footballer. In fact in my opinion he is one hell of a creative fucker. In my opinion the “further forward Rooney” of last season and England gives us far less as a team, obviously it brought an increase in goal return, but that was hardly shoddy anyway. I will probably get lynched for this but couldn’t really give a cunt, but last season, all round performance wise, was quite possibly his worst in a United shirt (not saying it was bad!!). Previous seasons he has been well and truly the heartbeat of our side, both in blood, guts AND CREATIVITY, he helped make Ronnie that godly. Feel we lost a little of that last year.
Posted 2 years ago # -
baggio365
Member
my two cents
fergie saw how effective the berba-keane partnership was for spurs and thought he could replicate it at united with berba-rooney. evidence so far suggests that it hasnt worked out at planned.berba is a technically amazing football player. he has a first touch to die for. but i agree that for him to work at his best, he needs the side to be built around him. just like veron.
this will not happen, as rooney is the player we should build the team around for many reasons. he's the heartbeat of the team, and he'll be around for the best part of the next decade. but the rooney of today is not the rooney that scored a hattrick against fernebache. that rooney was destined to be world player of the year. one of the all time greats. that rooney know how to take over a game by the scruff of its neck and dominate it. out rooney at present has been fucked around by fergie, ronaldo, eriksson and capello. he's low on confidence and has found himself as a goal square poacher, when really he could be so much more. (speaking of goal square poacher, glad to see Ruud getting his dues. there was a lot of hatred to the man in the immediate aftermath of his departure. good to see the positive view on his time at united)
but i have strayed off topic as is usual at Rant. Berba has started this season well. but like unc said, lets see how he fairs when its squeak bum time. i suppose it also depends if ferige plays a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1, but if berba is having the season of his life, there would be less reason to drop him. either way, i hope out 30mill pound man isnt remembered at united just for this one wonderful piece of skill -
Get the Video Widget Posted 2 years ago #
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