“Let’s play the blame game…” sang Kanye West on his most recent album, it’s human nature to do so.
Whilst he crooned about a female, in football inevitably we seek players to find fault with in light of bad results.
After Tuesday’s draw with Benfica The Dail Mail pushed out a ridiculous headline blaming Rio Ferdinand for the draw.
Yes he could have done better with his clearance as the ball ricocheted off his privates into the path of Pablo Aimar but if that’s the nonsensical game we are playing then lets throw Phil Jones under the bus for his own goal, or even David De Gea for his poor clearance that lead to their equaliser.
Whilst Darron Gibson didn’t make it off the bench and Jonny Evans wasn’t included in the squad, incidentally it was one of our favourite whipping boys that had the brightest game.
Michael Carrick showed his worth in midfield offensively and defensively but whilst that saved him from the wrath of the boo boys unfortunately another of our patsy wasn’t spared.
Economical with his energy, this is just one of the things people cite as to why Dimitar Berbatov can’t be a starter at Manchester United.
Previously it was his lack of goals but 21 last season put an end to that argument (although some still took umbrage with the fact that he dared to score multiple goals in single games, rather than spread his goals out over the season!) but regardless there will always being a section of fans who don’t see why United parted with £30.75m to bring him to Old Trafford.
The game against Blackburn in 09/10 will always be used as a stick to beat him, he isn’t capable of playing in the big games. Tuesday may not have been a massive game but it was big enough, no Rooney and in need of a result. A result we didn’t get.
Only one thing to do; Blame Berbatov!
One paper actually lead with his performance being the final indication that Berbatov isn’t good enough to deputise for Wayne Rooney. Forget the fact he scored our equaliser, that we went on to draw the game somehow became Berbatov’s fault.
It probably isn’t the best time to mention his first half header was his first Champions League goal since 2008, where he scored a brace against Celtic but it was the goal that got us back into the game.
Some will point to the fact that he missed a volley in the second half, a chance that could have handed us the 3 points but it will be forgotten that had Ashley Young finished off his chance after Berbatov’s pass put him through 1 on 1, we may not be in this position either.
Last week Berbatov was being linked with moves away from the club. Galatasary and Anzhi were sniffing around him, his agent declared that the striker was unhappy with his position at the club but Sir Alex moved to nip any speculation in the bud. He stated the club were looking to exercise their right to extend his contract by a year and rightly so.
From our point of view it doesn’t make sense to get rid of him, he showed again on Tuesday he knows his way to the goal and that’s what you want from a striker. In terms of him, he may not be happy with being fourth choice, even slipping behind Danny Welbeck, but it has been stressed that he has never complained and remains the perfect professional.
Following the game Sir Alex stated,
“He’s always been involved.
“He’s not had the starts but that’s all to do with the partnerships we’ve had this season.
“He’s done very well tonight and could’ve scored a hat-trick. It was a bad decision when he was flagged offside in the first half – it was never offside. And he missed an opportunity near the end, he was a bit unlucky but maybe he could’ve taken it down.
“Nonetheless, he played very well and there’s always a goal in Dimi, always the ability to turn a game. That’s why I played him. He’s always in my thoughts.”
And his words couldn’t be truer Berbatov always has something to offer, you just wish more shared Sir Alex’s sentiments.
Written by Chudi for TheBusbyWay.com.
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