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| Berbatov |
LONDON, England
IT is almost three years since his last Champions League goal and his mantle as fourth-choice striker is under threat from Michael Owen, yet Sir Alex Ferguson has denied he needs to repair Dimitar Berbatov's confidence ahead of Manchester United's encounter with Basel.
Berbatov has been frequently overlooked on the big occasions by Ferguson, notably the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley in May, and may be required for United's opening home game in Europe this season. Wayne Rooney is a confirmed absentee with a hamstring injury, a problem with potential repercussions for England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro on Friday week, so too Javier Hernández with a dead leg he sustained at Stoke City on Saturday. With Danny Welbeck also easing his way back from a hamstring tear it would represent another slight on the £30.75m striker not to be selected ahead of or alongside Owen, Federico Macheda or Mame Biram Diouf.
The 30-year-old has started United's last two matches, the draw at the Britannia Stadium and the Carling Cup win at Leeds United, and perhaps that explained Ferguson's irritation when pressed on Berbatov's contribution to the Champions League campaign. "Of course he's got a part to play. He's one of our squad members and they've all got a part to play," the United manager said. "There are a lot of games in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. It's an exhausting season unless you use your squad."
The Guardian
The 30-year-old has started United's last two matches, the draw at the Britannia Stadium and the Carling Cup win at Leeds United, and perhaps that explained Ferguson's irritation when pressed on Berbatov's contribution to the Champions League campaign. "Of course he's got a part to play. He's one of our squad members and they've all got a part to play," the United manager said. "There are a lot of games in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. It's an exhausting season unless you use your squad."
The Guardian
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