Berbatov to the rescue – but Manchester United’s endless desire to win means they will always find a hero from somewhere

Dimitar Berbatov celebrates his winning goal against Bolton (Getty Images)

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By Greg Stobart at Old Trafford

If Manchester United win the Premier League this season, it must rank right up there as one of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s greatest achievements.

In his 25th year in charge, the Scot is somehow guiding United to the title with one of the weakest side’s he has ever had at his disposal.

For so much of the season, they have produced insipid performances that would result in dropped points for any other side, but the Red Devils have somehow managed to pick up three points.

Even United fans are wondering how they sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League with eight games left to play.

The answers are right there in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bolton, as United fought their way to victory with a dramatic finish despite being reduced to 10 men.

It was almost as if the players were spurred on by Jonny Evans’ dismissal for a nasty looking two-footed lunge on Stuart Holden, as if their resolve stiffened as the odds stacked up against them.

Or maybe it was the fear of feeling Ferguson’s famous hairdryer treatment as they entered the last 15 minutes having produced hardly any chances of note. The Scot refuses to accept poor performances and you can be sure the dressing room walls would have been vibrating on Saturday had United now managed to get the result.

Narrow margin’s | Berbatov nets late winner to send United five points clear

In the end, Dimitar Berbatov was the hero, bundling the ball home in the 88th minute after Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen failed to hold on to a fierce drive from Nani.

The roar around Old Trafford was huge, a wave of relief from 75,000 fans who Ferguson and his opposite number Owen Coyle felt made a massive difference in the closing stages.

But Ferguson was more keen to praise his players’ character, their incessant desire to win and their refusal to give up.

This is a sheer will built into the squad by the Scot. There is something in the DNA at Old Trafford that has allowed the likes of Berbatov to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors at the club.

Whether it’s Berbatov, Wayne Rooney or Wes Brown – it appears someone will always step up and get the job done for United.

Their quest for a record-breaking 19th top flight title this campaign is full of this type of wins. They won in added time at home to Wolves, they scraped through by a single goal at home to Arsenal and Stoke while Rooney secured victory over Manchester City with a once-in-a-lifetime strike.

Successive league defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool brought to the fore weaknesses that have been evident all season in a squad that lacks creativity in midfield and is weak in defence beyond four or give regular first-team players.

This is the time of the season for results and United are driven on by a fear of failure drilled into them by Ferguson, who is currently working his magic from the stands during games due to a touchline ban.

The Bolton game was perfectly highlighted the attitude at United, both in the stands and within the squad.

Before kick-off, the atmosphere was one of expectation; in the closing stages the whole stadium was gripped by a fear of failure that bordered on an obsession.

For the first 75, United were listless and struggled to build any tempo to their game against a well organised Bolton team that denied them space to play swift attacking moves.

Other clubs will look at United this season and question how on earth they have such a good chance of winning the title.

The answer is rather simple: winning mentality that has transferred from the manager to the players.

It is increasingly appearing that United are going to do enough to creep over the line and win the Premier League despite the deficiencies in their squad.

If they do, it will be as much because of the way they have handled expectation – especially in comparison to their closest challengers – as it will be for their ability on the pitch.

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