Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Dimitar Berbatov
against accusations that he does not work hard enough.
The Manchester United striker has built up a reputation for
being idle, drifting in and out of games when the mood takes
him.
However, his Old Trafford boss believes this moniker is unfair
on a man who grafts as much, if not more, as any of his
contemporaries.
Ferguson admits that he is not normally one to look to
statistics to back up his point, but believes a glance at the
yardage covered by Berbatov in any given game demonstrates just how
workmanlike the former Tottenham man is.
"I don't agree with the criticism that he slows us down. I don't
agree with that at all. In fact, I don't think we have used him
enough," the Red Devils chief said in the Daily Star
Sunday.
"He's fine. It's like everything else. Whenever a
player comes here, if there's a way of criticising him, they will
find it.
"They are saying he's this and he's that. But his stats are
incredible.
"He did more running (against Middlesbrough) on Monday night
than any other front player, including (Wayne) Rooney.
"I think it's the languid style of his that's the problem. The
stats, though, would surprise you. They don't surprise me.
"I don't always pay attention to stats, to be honest, yet it's
good to know in this case."
