Wayne Rooney Gamble Has Cost Alex Ferguson and Manchester United the EPL Title

Barely four days since Manchester United exited from the Champions League, and the Wayne Rooney gamble has come back to haunt Sir Alex Ferguson and the Red Devils.

Dropped points to Blackburn Rovers courtesy of a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park have left United needing snookers as they search for that elusive fourth title in a row.

On Wednesday, Sir Alex Ferguson snubbed Dimitar Berbatov not once but twice, first by playing an obviously injured Wayne Rooney ahead of him and then by moving Nani up front when the English international hobbled off. The Bulgarian got to make a cameo appearance with 10 minutes to go after Bayern had snatched the lead on the away goals rule.

It was thoroughly ironic that the wily Scot had to turn to his £31 million signing and ask him to keep Manchester United in the title race against Blackburn.

It is therefore hardly surprising that it did not happen.

During his two years as Manchester United's No. 9, his form has swung from indifferent to inconsistent. His 26 goals in 82 appearances might be a bad return for a centre forward at another club, but at United it verges on meaningless.

Surrounded by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Antonio Valencia, and Paul Scholes, Manchester United have been one of the most creative teams on the planet during Berbatov's time and his contribution has been negligible when compared to that of his teammates.

The main problem surrounding Berbatov, and it probably explains why Ferguson signed him, is that people compare him to Eric Cantona.

While the enigmatic Frenchman was a formidable character both in and out of the dressing room and had a big game mentality as far as the Premiership was concerned, Berbatov has allowed the pressure and expectation of playing for a club like United shrink his character. At times he looks like a lost child at Old Trafford.

In the Champions League, Alex Ferguson had a chance to redress this situation. All he had to do was take Berbatov aside, tell him that the season rested on his shoulders and that he was going to lead the team for the next four games.

Basically boost his confidence, build the team around the classy striker, play to his best attributes, instead of Rooney's, while he was out injured.

Instead Ferguson chose to humiliate Berbatov.

A one-legged Wayne Rooney was considered better than the fully fit Bulgarian.

However, it is very hard to have any kind of sympathy for Berbatov.

Whilst wearing the No. 9 jersey he has been poor, failing to live up to expectations, and Ferguson’s overreaction towards him on Wednesday is a result of the player not giving his all for United.

Ferguson’s stance can be completely understood as far as Berbatov is concerned. He deserved to find himself on the bench, but only if Wayne Rooney was fully fit. By leaving the Bulgarian in the dug out, Ferguson has bitten his own nose off despite his face, and then he has the gall to turn to Berbatov against Blackburn!

It was a must win game against Sam Allardyce’s team. Anything less than a win and United’s chances of winning the league would be all but extinguished.

In short, Fergie gambled United’s entire season on Wayne Rooney’s damaged ankle, when he could have gambled it on Berbatov.

Knowing he is not rated or wanted by Alex Ferguson, Dimitar Berbatov spent the afternoon strolling through the game, a self-fulfilling prophecy in person. Waving his arms in angst at wayward passes by teammates and not helping them when they needed it most.

With eight minutes to go the ball dropped kindly for him on the right hand side of the D. He teed it up nicely, but his wayward shot drifted high and wide of the left hand post.

Along with his career at Old Trafford and United’s title dreams.

Javier Hernandez Signing Spells End for Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United

Manchester United and Alex Ferguson have sensationally scooped up 21-year-old striker Javier Hernandez from Chivas in Mexico for an as-yet-undisclosed fee. The signing also seems to signal the end of the affair for Dimitar Berbatov, who is now expected to move on either this or next summer.

WARNING: Manchester United PC Virus

Major Virus Alert




Manchester Utd Virus Alerts

Everybody please watch out for the following viruses ...

The Manchester Utd Virus ... This is where your PC thinks it's far superior than any other PC and develops a complex disorder, except when the password LEEDS UNITED is entered .

The Alex Ferguson Virus ... The computer develops a continuous whining noise when losing power and will refuse to accept time outs even when being shut down.

The Berbatov Virus ... This affects newer PC's mainly. The computer looks great, all the lights are on, but nothing works.

The Rooney Virus ... This one is particularly nasty and will throw you out of Windows ...

The Foster Virus .... This one's not particularly harmful - but you just can't save anything.

The Brown Virus ..... Just when you think things can't get any worse, this one pops up and causes a calamitous error.

The Nani Virus ... The computer develops a processor problem, whereby it thinks it's better than it actually is. It also experiences dramatic fluctuation in performance.

The Neville Virus .... This is a particularly ugly one.

The Man Utd Shirt Virus... This one is especially hard to detect as it changes its format every 3 months


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