Player review: Berbatov

Berba continued to polarise opinion in the stands during 2009/10, despite his undeniable contribution to United’s quest for silverware…

Story of the season: He has had his critics since he swapped White Hart Lane for Old Trafford, but there is no denying the valuable contribution Dimitar Berbatov has made to the United cause over the last two campaigns, both as a scorer and creator of goals. He began five of the opening 10 games alongside Wayne Rooney last season, but Sir Alex’s decision to deploy a 4-5-1 formation, spearheaded by Rooney, in United’s most important clashes ultimately led to the Bulgarian playing a reduced role as the season progressed. Nevertheless, when called upon, the striker proved he was more than capable of leading the line himself with his performances at Wolves and Bolton, and at home to Tottenham catching the eye. Indeed, United’s 4-0 victory at the Reebok included Berba’s first double for the club (on the back of a Man of the Match display against Fulham), while it was his marauding run down the left wing that led to the opening goal in the crucial win over his former club in April. He fired a couple of exquisite strikes during the season, with his scissor-kick against Sunderland and shot on the turn against Blackburn both shortlisted for United’s Goal of the Season.

Finest moment: Facing his former club in the penultimate home match, Berbatov soared in the sunshine and dazzled Spurs into conceding the first of two penalties converted by Ryan Giggs. His performance was of the creative kind that persuaded Sir Alex to part with all that cash. And showing a more physical side, Berbatov made up for the easy ride given to Chelsea’s Alex and Terry by dishing it out to Dawson and King.

What’s in store: Speculation about an ignominious summer exit for United’s record buy was rife at the business end of 2009/10. However, Sir Alex seems loathe to let the Bulgarian go; he remains appreciative of Dimitar’s capability for brilliance and the education his experience could bring to a burgeoning crop of young strikers at Old Trafford.

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Foster joins Birmingham

United have completed the sale of Ben Foster to Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

The England-capped goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract with Alex McLeish's side.

Foster arrived from Stoke City in July 2005, and spent his first two seasons as a United player on loan at Watford, where his excellent form led to an international debut in February 2007.

His second campaign at Vicarage Road was curtailed by a cruciate knee ligament injury, delaying his United debut until March 2008.

A hero of United's 2008/09 Carling Cup final victory over Tottenham, Ben's first sustained spell of involvement came in the early part of last season.

However, the enduring excellence of Edwin van der Sar restricted Foster to just one appearance in 2010, prompting him to move in search of regular first-team football.

Everybody at Manchester United would like to wish Ben well for the future.

 

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Boss confirms Foster bid

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed United have accepted a bid from Birmingham City for goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Speaking at the New York launch of Tour 2010, the boss said: "I think Ben deserves the opportunity to do better for himself. That's the reason we accepted the offer. I still feel very strongly about this... I think he's the best English goalkeeper in England."

News sources in England were reporting on Tuesday that the 27 year-old was expected to complete a medical and agree personal terms before the end of the week. Foster joined United in July 2005 but has made just 23 appearances for the club.

United have been linked with a number of established goalkeepers from the European leagues in recent weeks, but Sir Alex told reporters in New York that he would place his faith in young stopper Ben Amos.

Amos, 20, has made just one first-team appearance (vs Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup third round in 2008/09), although he has consistently impressed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reserve team this term.

Sir Alex said: "When we decided to let Ben [Foster] go, we were in the process of letting a good young goalkeeper, Ben Amos, go out on loan. He's in the England Under-21 team but we can only accommodate three goalkeepers. So when the situation with Ben [Foster]'s future at United came into it and we agreed to let him go, we stopped Ben Amos from going on loan.

"He will now be our third keeper. He's very talented and has a good future ahead of him."

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Player review: Anderson

Staggered season and injury puts the Brazilian's career on hold, but he'll be back...

Story of the season After just one appearance in August, September augured well for Anderson when he played and scored at Spurs and then retained his place in the eleven for the 4-3 win over Manchester City. With a Champions League start away to Besiktas sandwiched in between, that was his best spell – the only time he started three games on the spin. It was ironic that Anderson was unavailable when Sir Alex regularly accommodated three central midfielders from March to May; while 4-4-2 was in vogue during the autumn, the boss was picking two from a talented quintet also comprising Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes and, to a lesser extent, Gibson. Anderson may therefore have played a big part in the closing months of the campaign had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury on 23 February, during United’s 3-0 win over West Ham. The fact he’d only just returned to action after missing seven games, and was looking very sharp in the game, made the pill harder to swallow.

Finest moment Although he had notably notched a penalty in the Moscow rain at the end of an epic debut season for United, Anderson was still seeking his first official goal when his third campaign kicked off in August 2009. But after a 77th game without scoring passed him by at Burnley, his moment finally came at White Hart Lane. Four minutes before half-time, the Brazilian lashed home the rebound from Paul Scholes’ shot to put the Reds 2-1 up and on course for a fine away win.

What’s in store? Anderson will be desperate to make up for lost time when his fourth season at the club dawns, having not kicked a ball competitively for six months. He’ll have extra reason to celebrate his comeback – his next United appearance will be his 100th.


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Player review: Owen

Important goals were the hallmark of Michael Owen's abbreviated first season at OT...

Story of the season As a player whose name was synonymous for years with United's biggest rivals, Michael Owen knew his move to OT was not going to be greeted with universal approval in either Manchester or Merseyside. But one thing no fan could deny was that in snapping up the former England number 9 on a free transfer, Sir Alex was in a win-win situation. The gaffer was probably aware that Owen would not start many games, but as a world-class finisher he could still offer something priceless: goals. His nine strikes in all competitions, despite two thirds of his appearances coming as sub, more than justified his acquisition. That’s especially true given the importance of some of those goals – a hat-trick in the Champions League, a dramatic derby winner and Carling Cup final strike among them. It was unfortunate that his injury curse came back to haunt him shortly after that latter strike, but he had already proved his enduring worth.

Finest moment That goal against Aston Villa at Wembley was special enough, but there is no doubt which goal will stick in our memories. Nearly 96 minutes gone against City, the blue quarter of Manchester already celebrating a draw as if they had won the treble, and Owen did what he has always done: he sniffed out space on the edge of the box and coolly finished to give United a priceless win over our noisy neighbours. Much ink has been spilled over chances the Reds might have put away last season, but without strikes like that we would never have made it to a final day title decider.

What’s in store? He signed a two-year deal at the start of the campaign and, despite requiring surgery on his hamstring injury, the 30-year-old is on course to return for pre-season training. More timely contributions like this year’s would be most welcome.

 

ManUtd.Com

 

 

Man United plot move for Suarez

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has added Ajax striker Luis Suarez to his list of possible strike partners for Wayne Rooney, according to newspaper reports.

United have had the Uruguayan watched half a dozen times in recent months and are now weighing up a £20million move.

Suarez scored 35 goals in 33 league games for the Dutch side last season and that prolific strike rate has brought him to the attention of Europ's biggest clubs.

Fergie also remains interested in Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who could be offloaded after just one season in Spain, but Suarez would be available at a lower price.

Man United and Arsenal in fight for Jagielka

Manchester United and Arsenal are ­battling to sign Everton central defender Phil Jagielka.

Jagielka, 28, is ­regarded by Arsene Wenger as the perfect partner for Thomas Vermaelen and the man to bring ­experience to the Gunners’ young squad.

But United are also keen on Jagielka. ­Manager Sir Alex ­Ferguson wants to bolster his own outfit as he plans to regain the Premier League title.

Jagielka, who can also play at full-back and in midfield, would give United added strength for their next Champions League assault.

He’s been ­regarded as one of the England’s most ­improved defenders and was a ­genuine candidate for the Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad that was ­announced last week.

But he missed most of the season due to a serious knee injury that forced him out of last year’s FA Cup ­Final. He returned late in the campaign but was then overlooked by Capello.

But he is still held in high regard by Wenger and ­Ferguson and the bidding will start at around £15m.

Everton manager David Moyes is determined to hold on to the player.