Many said it had been coming with an unbeaten run that stretched into last season it was only a matter of time before someone was on the end of a severe thumping.
Today it came, Manchester United put seven past a woeful Blackburn Rovers side at Old Trafford who did manage a late consolation through Christopher Samba, but the man of the moment was undoubtedly Dimitar Berbatov, who walked off with the match ball and five goals to his name.
Not bad for a striker who is apparently on his way out the door.
Going into the game United were unbeaten in their last 28 matches, but performances haven’t matched such an impressive statistic. Berbatov as well, scored seven goals in his first six games, but since then he has gone 10 matches without finding the back of the net. Until today!
The Bulgarian was jubilant after the match, commenting: ?”It was an fantastic afternoon for the team and for me personally – I still can’t quite believe I scored five goals,” he told MUTV.
“I’ve scored five in a match before, but it was a long time ago back home in Bulgaria. To do it in the Premier League is a great feeling especially when only a few players have done it. To stand alongside the likes of Shearer and Cole is a great honour,” he beamed.
“It [the goal drought] had concerned me a little bit because when you’re a striker people just tend to look at the number of goals you score, but, for me, my game isn’t just about goals. It’s about how you play and how you link-up with your team-mates.
“Today though, for me, it was all about goals which I’m pleased about. I don’t have a favourite, but the first one was probably the most important because it was early in the game and it gave us the confidence to go on and play the way we know we can,” the striker concluded.
Even though he did grab five goals, credit must also be given to the supporting cast. Wayne Rooney showed a return to form and all that was missing was a goal from the frontman.
Another player who was unplayable today was Nani. The Portuguese has been in excellent form so far this season and has become an integral part of this United side. While one player who has come in for criticism from many sides has been Anderson.
But today the midfielder was excellent, his energy was unsettling for Blackburn and he also set-up a couple as well. Once he is back to full fitness, it is possible he can walk the same road as Nani.
Sir Alex Ferguson was also full of praise for team, in particular the frontmen, “Both Berbatov and Wayne were fantastic today,” Sir Alex told MUTV.
“They were a constant threat with their movement and passing, their one-twos. It was a top performance from both of them.
“We’ve been searching for that consistency of performance in terms of our rhythm and tempo we’ve always been noted for. It came together today very well. Today it was back to normal.
“It was very pleasing, particularly because we’ve scored so many goals and improved our goal difference. It was a good team performance.” He finished.
So as Fergie said, United have improved their goal difference, but also have gone clear at the top of the Premier League, though Chelsea have yet to play. So all the pressure will be on the London side.
But was today a catalyst? United historically have clicked into gear after the New Year and motored on from there as fitness schedules are designed to peak when it matters, or will it just be a flash in the pan with more turgid performances in the offing.
Pingback: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham: Berbatov’s Treble Leads Way In United Romp