United’s attacking options: accommodating Berbatov
September 4, 2008
With the signing of Berbatov and Manucho receiving his work permit, Sir Alex Ferguson has finally bagged himself the four strikers he loves to operate with. Ever since the striking quartet of Yorke, Cole, Solskjaer and Sheringham helped bring home the treble in 1999, Ferguson has focussed on bringing the same fire power back to United.
Manucho is a relatively unknown quantity and out of the four strikers, is surely fourth choice. That is not to say the Angolan striker won’t play his part this season; the season is long and injuries will happen (as will the Carling Cup). The pecking order of the top three is a little more difficult to predict and beggars the question, who will be first choice in leading the attack for United?
Dimitar Berbatov will bring a new dimension to the United line-up and he seems a far more suited partner for either Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez than they are for each other. Rooney and Tevez’s partnership has never quite hit the heights it could have done even though at times the link up play between the two has been nothing short of magnificent. Both players have a tendency to come deep for the ball and despite a phenomenal work rate, isn’t always in the best interest of the team.
If utilised in a 4-4-2 formation, a strike pairing of Berbatov and Rooney or Tevez looks frightening. Both Rooney and Tevez would have far more to offer playing off a striker with the quality of Berbatov. But that does mean a space on the bench opening up for either Tevez or Rooney and with the way Tevez has started the new campaign, you just cannot drop him. He has been arguably our best player so far this season.
Last season the team played a lot of 4-3-3 (or 4-5-1 depending who you ask). With this formation, Berbatov would suit the central striker’s role but it wouldn’t be guaranteed. The interchangeability of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo proved such a success last term that you wouldn’t bet against them teaming up and devastating defences once again. With Berbatov now at his disposal, Ferguson would be able to rest any of the front three or cope with an injury without really batting an eyelid.
Of course Ferguson could opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation accommodating Berbatov in the striker’s role with Tevez or Rooney playing just behind , the other on the left and Ronaldo on the right. United used this formation in the 7-1 win over Roma and from what we saw that night, it worked a treat. Back then, the front four consisted of Smith, Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs so replacing Smith for Berbatov and Giggs for Tevez will only strengthen the attack.
Whatever Ferguson opts for, the selection process will surely cause him a few headaches over the coming months. The likes of Nani and Anderson will both be looking to establish themselves and improve on impressive debut seasons. Veterans Scholes and Giggs are out for one last hurrah (maybe two). Hargreaves will be hoping he can shrug off his injuries and get a good run in the team and they will all face competition from Carrick, Park, Fletcher and Possebon. All that without even considering the defence!
More that may interest you
- No Berbatov means no striker; what on earth have the scouts been doing?- Carlos Tevez reiterates his desire to stay at Manchester United
- Berbatov on course to recover in time for Chelsea
- Everton agree deal to sign Louis Saha
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