Dimitar Berbatov - Old Trafford needs you!

Earlier this week Sunderland and a host of other clubs were linked with Louis Saha – with no big name Summer signings and Fergie considering selling the injury prone Frenchman, it got me thinking about who could best fill the void he would leave.

Saha, 30 this week, will leave United after scoring just 42 goals in his 4 and half years with the club. This is the same as Ronaldo managed last year alone. Saha though can count himself unfortunate to say the least – with an absence record which would make Darren Anderton and Johnny Wilkinson proud, he will be remembered as a popular player and can hold his head high.

With Saha’s expected departure, Ronaldo's injury and the announcement Wayne Rooney is going to be missing the start of the season with a virus, Tevez and Campbell will have to hit the ground running if we are to avoid suffering Liverpool’s annual humiliation of being out of the title race by December. Fergie’s hand may now be forced to speed up his pursuit of a top class forward – my suggestion, indulge in a spot of shopping at White Hart Lane and bring back the jewel in the crown from the Premiership’s number one feeder club.

If, however, we are to believe media speculation, there is a shortlist of 4 (including Berbatov) for the position not suitably filled since Van Nistelrooy’s banishment. There’s the Dutch goal machine, the French maverick and the Bulgarian maestro. Oh, and a festive sounding chap from Paraguay. But, who’s best?

The Dutch Goal Machine. Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Huntelaar has long been a name linked with a move to Old Trafford by various media sources. His ability to score with both feet and general style of play brought Bernd Schuster to compare him to Marco Van Basten. With 78 goals in his last 95 games (for club and country) he would certainly send a surge of excitement around Old Trafford. However, after recently being named as first team captain at Ajax his transfer may have to wait. Obviously if Ferguson does invest in the latest Eredivisie sensation, United fans will hope for more of a Van Nistelrooy return than Kuyt or Kezman managed.

The French maverick. Karim Benzema

Burst on to most United fans radar when he gave Vidic and Rio the run around in Europe last season. Having been likened to Zidane, Gerrard, Ronaldo (the fat one) and Ronaldinho he would appear to tick all the boxes. Genuinely two footed, with pace, power and an abundance of talent, Benzema would be a welcome addition. Again, he appears to be staying with Lyon for the foreseeable future claiming he wants to win the Champions League with the French club before leaving. (Could be a while until he graces OT then). Again, more Henry return than Steve Marlet please.

The festive sounding chap from Paraguay. Roque Santa Cruz

The latest Premiership one season wonder is apparently coveted by Sir Alex. Speculation is rife that United are to bid for the Paraguayan. After injuries caused his Bayern Munich career to splutter along, his career record consists of a mere 61 club goals. After one good season with Blackburn, is he really what United need or want? I think not.

The Bulgarian maestro. Dimitar Berbatov.

It is difficult to argue that there is a better player outside of the Big 4 in the Premiership. Berbatov would bring skill, composure and class to arguably the best attacking threesome in Europe. United fans would embrace the artist in Berbatov and with the ego to match his talent; Old Trafford would present him with the ideal canvas. After Berbatov scored a goal against Charlton Athletic two seasons ago he described it as ‘easy, just put the ball in the net’. This was the goal where, on the halfway line, he flicked the ball with the outside of his foot past the defender, then ran past and out muscled the defender before coolly finishing a one on one with the keeper. Sound easy enough? Over the past two seasons Berbatov has shown everything needed to be a United player and the sounds being made from his camp appear encouraging.

So to borrow a phrase from Delia Smith, come on Fergie - let’s be ‘avin you – we need a striker to either compensate for Saha (if he does move) or compensate for Saha (if he doesn’t move) as he will doubtless be injured for all but one Premiership game this season. My vote goes for Berbatov, whether Fergie agrees and Daniel Levy gets off his high horse is another matter……

Craig Malpas

Comments

[Randy]

I find the bowshot about Spurs being a "feeder club" in poor taste, even if done in jest. Spurs have some of the most passionate (at times venomous, but passionate) supporters in the PL. And they're generally a threat to crack at least the top 6 each year. I intensely dislike the team, but I respect their fans more than those of Utd. It's hard to respect a club whose fans and manager constantly revel in their own greatness and show no respect to unlucky clubs. Spurs fans are like family. They can criticize their own, but outsiders beware. Utd fans, more often than not, project the image that their team have no problems. It's as farcical as it is arrogant.

What I love even more is living here in America, where all the "fair-weather" football fans support Utd solely because they win trophies, not because of their team character. Here in the US, it makes a PL fan ill listening to self-proclaimed Utd fans (who've never actually watched a match or couldn't name a player besides Ronaldo) propounding on the "greatness" of which they're a part. It's rather like a West Ender proclaiming how much he loves the New York Yankees without actually knowing the rules of baseball. It's inane. SAF and his fans carry the image that the invincibility will never end. But it will end one day. Ask the Gunners and Reds--and the New York Yankees. Then, I imagine, crow or humble pie will be on the menu at Old Trafford for some time.

[Shannon]

Mr. Malpas:

I'd target Santa Cruz. He doesn't (openly) pout or whine and he offers nearly as much clinical ability to score.

And if, by "class," you mean that Berba would bring "skill" to Utd, that would be true. But if you're referring to his attitude, you're sorely mistaken. It'll be a sweet honeymoon, with GOALS APLENTY! However, if the adversity/ frustration bug bites Utd in midseason, he'll rip the dressing room to shreds by pointing the finger at everyone but the man in the mirror. He's got the footballing brilliance of Kaka and the professionalism of my 5-year-old nephew.

[Fillipe]

I think, in fairness, the 'feeder club' thing was a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Clearly, Spurs ARE genuine top four material. Their continued absence from the Champions League coupled with the sales of Carrick, Keane and probably Berbatov to Champions League sides are mere aberrations.

we are called UNITED,REAL UNITED fans never refer to us as M**U,and to all you UNITED haters,our failure is your success,how sad is that,MANCHESTER IS RED!!!

[Bledi Jahjaga]

Feeder club.

[Billy Mac]

Sean,Dan,Gerald whats it like to wriggle in a deep wet net ? hook, line, and sinker i think the term may be, grow up and pull them socks upto your knees before mammy smacks them !! oh and steve what thirty years ? was that when we were STILL the best supported club in England ?and no Glory hunters to be seen ANYWHERE

[Stephen]

'Most hated club in the land'. That comment always brings a smile to my face and generally makes me feel happy. This is Man U most hated club in the land who every opposition supporter loves watching because of the style of football they play. Keep that sort of comment up, same as the Man U reference as scum and it makes all Utd fans happy at how sad you are.

[Andy]

How old was Cantona when he joined Utd?

Dan I have to ask how can the same player be great at one club and a mere media hype at another?

[Contractor]

"Most hated club in the land?". Oh please. We have more supporters in Timbuktu than you have in England. Wake up son.

[tony starks]

'typical MU fan'? so you judge a whole club's fanbase on one person's point of view? you should realise that this guy is representing himself, not all united fans

[zeus dormer]

I for one would not be happy at all if United signed Berbatov. ( I am a United fan). I do rate Berbatov but I am not happy with the idea of paying so much for a relatively old player if he was 22 say, then yes deffinately you could get 10 years out of him. Now a five year contract could arguably be his last. Same goes for Santa Cruz.
If it was up to me, id let Manucho, Campbell have a chance.

[Asher]

Tottenham is a feeder club. That's the sad truth.

[Chris Tickles]

Feeder Club! Feeder Club! Feeder Club! (Like 'Super Leeds') ...

[Steve Marks]

Man Utd should either stump up the required money or shut up. The only thing worse than Fergie are the fans who believe they have some god given right. They forget how poor they were for 30 years. I look forward to the retirement of Sir Ferg and the second coming of Frank O'Farrel.

[JackMaz]

Levy is proving to be a top premiership chairman and he is still very relatively young. I can see him at the reigns for a quiet a few many years to come.

I know the Manu/Liverpool/Aresenal fans have heard it every year that this is gonna be Tottenham's year so i am not going to say it but things are changing and for the better for Spurs. Berba will see this and decide to stay.

[Josh]

Sean. Ramos was a coup, got some lovely new players. But spurs keep selling their best players to their suposed top4 competition, making them stronger, and putting your team back into development. Levy only wants 4th so he can sell the club. Modric tobe next to leave for a big club this yr or next if he has a good season.

[Gerald]

How amazingly rude and who does this scum bag think he is? feeder club. Have a modicum of respect.

[Dan]

Typical MU fan. Arrogance at its worst. Football has reached its nadir. I can only hope and pray that the wheel turns and MU will be knocked off their high horse. As for Berbatov going there, what a nightmare. He should get his finger out and start playing committed football for the team that took a gamble to bring him to England in the first place. He can become a true legend at Spurs, not a media generated hype puppet that will surely become if joins the most hated team in the land. Come on Berba show some loyalty and grit. And come on Spurs board, if you have to sell him, please not to those obnoxious soulless bully boys from Manchester.

[Sean]

"my suggestion, indulge in a spot of shopping at White Hart Lane and bring back the jewel in the crown from the Premiership’s number one feeder club."

The arrogance of Man Utd and their fans knows no bounds.

We may sell Berbatov we may not, but if we do you'll pay through the nose. £30m at least. Good business for a brilliant yet ultimately uncommitted player. Ramos will use your money to further improve Tottenham.

To refer to Spurs as a 'feeder club' is quite frankly ludicrous.