Written by Matt Woodward
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has pushed striker Wayne Rooney to match the efforts of in-form Dimitar Berbatov, and aim for 20 goals this season.
Berbatov’s latest hat-trick took the Bulgarian to a personal record of 17 goals in the Premier League so far this season, and he leads the club’s tally in contrast to Rooney’s poor run in front of goal.
The 29-year-old has inevitably been a key contributor to Manchester United’s 22-game unbeaten run in the Premier League this term, scoring numerous key goals including three hat-tricks, and propelling the club to top spot amongst England’s elite.
However, in order for the Red Devils to remain there, Ferguson realises that they can’t afford for Berbatov to enter a barren patch, and he has urged other players to step up to the mark and start contributing to the goal tally.
Nani has been in prolific form since August, and has been the key ‘Ronaldo factor’ in the squad – providing 11 assists for others and grabbing seven goals for himself.
“Dimitar is getting up towards that 20-goal mark, which is going to be important for us,” said Ferguson, according to ESPN Soccernet. “Hopefully we will get another one to that level too. Once you do that you know it is a substantial season.”
Rooney scored 34 goals last season, but has failed to really hit top-gear so far this campaign following revelations about his private life, speculation over his future and the debilitating effect of various injuries.
Now Ferguson is challenging Rooney to get back to his best.
“We hope so, he [Rooney] deserves it. He is working his socks off and is playing some great football,” said Ferguson. “The third goal [in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Birmingham City at Old Trafford] was very, very exciting with the interchange between Berba and Rooney. It was right at half-time and it killed the match,” he added. “Wayne showed fantastic control in the fourth goal to bring the ball from Edwin [Van der Sar] out of the clouds. The control of Rooney and setting up Ryan [Giggs] to square the ball for Berba – it was a fantastic goal.”
Despite the former Everton striker’s unselfish work, which yielded two memorable assists against Brum, he struggled in front of goal himself, heading a cross wide from two yards out.
Berbatov wrote his name into the United record book by notching his third hat-trick of the season, equalling Ruud Van Nisterlrooy’s haul from the 2002-03 season.
The Bulgarian has managed double figures in every one of his seasons in England, and is finally looking the £30.75m player United bought from Tottenham in September 2008.
“Dimitar is realising his ability,” said Ferguson. “The other players sense it too. They are playing their part in playing with him. He has special qualities. I think we are using them.”
This article was first published on FootballFanCast.com
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