Dimitar Berbatov has no doubt Manchester United will come
through their all-English Champions League semi-final with
Arsenal.
United set up the meeting of minds between Sir Alex Ferguson and
Arsene Wenger with their win over Porto in Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s wonder goal has revived talk of an
unprecedented quintuple, as well as ensuring there will be a trio
of Premier League clubs in the last four of Europe’s most
prestigious competition for the third season running.
It promises to be an intriguing battle, contested by arguably
the two most exciting teams in England.
And at the end, Berbatov expects United to be the ones booking a
trip to Rome on May 27.
“The Arsenal games are going to be great for everybody to watch
and I know it is going to be difficult,” said the Bulgarian.
“They are a great team. But we are Manchester United, so I think
we are going to win.”
Berbatov has not been an unqualified success since his arrival
from Tottenham in a club record £30.75million deal last summer.
The Bulgarian’s languid style is not to everyone’s taste and
supporters who love the all-action approach of Carlos Tevez, the
man who has been squeezed out by Berbatov’s arrival, accuse the
new-boy of not working hard enough.
Yet there has never been an indication Sir Alex Ferguson is
unhappy.
Indeed, he has been positively effusive in his praise of
Berbatov’s economic style.
However, Berbatov is aware he needs to put some major medals on
the table, to prove he is the equal of his illustrious
team-mates.
“It is very close but things can happen, so it is best not to
think too far ahead,” he said.
“We are determined to defend this trophy and the fact we now
have to face another English team makes it a little bit different.
But we should still be confident.”
Berbatov has become used to superstar status during a career
that included a successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen before he
joined Tottenham, where he became a fundamental part of a side that
won the Carling Cup last season before his relationship with the
London outfit turned sour.
Even he had to play second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose
wonder goal will be talked about for years to come, having been
delivered from exactly 39.1 yards.
“It was a very special goal,” said Berbatov.
“Cristiano gives everything he can in every game. Sometimes you
need a special player to do something out of the ordinary.
Cristiano delivered.”
While the enthusiasm for a meeting with Arsenal will see
memories of past clashes between United and the Gunners – on and
off the field – rekindled, both sides have more immediate
priorities.
Arsenal face Chelsea in an all-London FA Cup semi-final, with
the Red Devils in action at Wembley 24 hours later when they tackle
David Moyes’ Everton.
If recent history is anything to go by, United can expect a
stern examination, even if they have tended to come out on top
against the Toffeemen.
But they will head south buoyed by the return from a groin
injury of Rio Ferdinand, who proved once again last night why his
partnership with Nemanja Vidic has been so successful.
Ferdinand has missed the last three of the five matches United
had not kept a clean sheet, with Vidic not completing the other
two, having been suspended for the defeat at Fulham following his
dismissal against Liverpool.
But, so tight were United at the back, Porto barely created a
chance of note, with Berbatov among those leading the praise.
“Our defence is incredible,” he said.
“They have been tremendous for us all season and deserve so much
credit for their performances.
“The major reason we are in the position we are at the moment is
because of our defenders and I want to thank them.”