In March 2010 we discussed the distribution of goals at Manchester United. The article focused on Wayne Rooney’s goal-scoring form and wondered where the goals would come from if Rooney were held in check and unable to score on a given day.
United’s worst fears were confirmed March 31 as the ankle injury that Rooney sustained against Bayern Munich will keep him sidelined for at least four weeks.
United’s entire season could completely fall apart if they do not achieve favorable results in the next week, let alone the next month. With only six games left in the Premiership season, United find themselves with only a one point advantage over Chelsea. United will face Chelsea at Old Trafford April 3 in a game that could very well decide who wins the title this year. The loss of Rooney is devastating for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who will have little room for error when choosing what team he selects for the match.
With Michael Owen lost for the year, clearly striker Dimitar Berbatov will carry the load this weekend. United signed Berbatov away from Tottenham for £30.75 million before the 2008-2009 season. In the nearly two years he has been with United, Berbatov has scored 21 goals in 58 league games. This year Berbatov has been out of the spotlight with all eyes focused on Wayne Rooney’s remarkable season. This Saturday however, all eyes with be on Berbatov when Chelsea visit Manchester.
Normally when a team pays £30 million for a striker they are expecting him to be the focus of their scoring attack. Berbatov has not had the pressure that normally comes with that price tag, but if United lose Saturday to Chelsea and lose to Bayern Munich April 7 then United fans will begin to turn on Berbatov and his addition to the team will be labeled a failure.
He has not been asked to score often this year but if United are to keep their lead in the Premiership and advance in the Champions League, Berbatov will have to be clutch.
United central defender Nemanja Vidic believes Berbatov will be rise to the occasion.
“We know Wayne is unbelievable, he scored again against Bayern and had another chance, he is one of the best in the world, but Berba showed what he could do at Bolton. He had a great game,” Vidic said this week.
Chelsea looked impressive in their 7-1 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge March 27. Having been knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan, Chelsea have their full focus on catching United in the Premiership title race and know that a win Saturday will give them one hand on the trophy.