1 Apr 2011 12:29:00<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n\n\nRelated Links<\/h4>\nTeams<\/h4>\nPlayers<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nAs the season gets into full swing, our Big Month series puts the spotlight on a player for whom the following four-and-a-bit weeks will be pivotal. A decent month and it could set up their season, a poor few weeks and the pressure will continue to build.<\/em>
<\/span><\/p>\nThis month…<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDimitar Berbatov
<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/a2ccc4a8115479_news.jpg.jpg\")
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\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Dimitar Berbatov<\/a> has only started two of the last six games for Manchester United<\/a> after losing his place in the starting lineup to Chicharito<\/a>, but with the amount of games his side have got in the next four weeks, they are going to need him.<\/p>\nSir Alex Ferguson’s team have seven matches crammed into April without so much as a midweek off, as they look to stay in the hunt for a treble of trophies: The Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. If there is a month that will make or break United’s season, it’s this one.<\/p>\n
And yet despite finding himself relegated to the bench, Berbatov is still United’s, and the league’s, top scorer with 20 goals. Critics will point to the fact that 25 per cent of those came in one match against a woeful Blackburn side, while another 15% were smashed home in the 5-0 drubbing of Birmingham at Old Trafford and it’s a valid point. <\/p>\n
But screw percentages (this isn’t poker), without the Bulgarian’s goals it is safe to say United probably wouldn’t be sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.<\/p>\n
But even with his goals this term, there are still doubts lingering over his future at Old Trafford, and if video evidence of Ferguson laughing at Berbatov while he sulked on the bench recently is anything to go by, that relationship is heading for a breaking point. Especially as the Bulgarian is reportedly desperate to pen a new deal at Old Trafford but has had to sit and watch seven of his team-mates get upgraded contracts, while he is still waiting. <\/p>\n
Which, let’s face it, would be slightly frustrating for a player that statistically is one of the best in the team and could argue that he is one of the reasons his side are heading for domestic, and potentially European, glory.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nBERBATOV ON ROONEY<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/2e86b0e0119919_hp.jpg.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/span><\/em>“When you consider all the attributes forwards need, Wayne is No.1 in my opinion. He’s the best forward I’ve ever played with.”<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nSo, how many games will Berbatov actually feature in for United this month? There will certainly be chances to convince Ferguson to drop Chicharito and re-install him in the first team. Ferguson has revealed United are trying to keep the young Mexican “fresh”, which will be music to Berbatov’s ears.<\/p>\n
In between tough ties against Chelsea and Manchester City in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively, United have some winnable league games that could see them pull away from Arsenal at the top of the table, and after picking off Blackburn and Birmingham, Berbatov will be confident of adding to his tally against West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Newcastle. If he plays, of course.<\/p>\n
The Hammers travel to Old Trafford at the weekend with one of the worst away records in the league having shipped 15 goals in their last six games on the road. Stats like that will have the Bulgarian licking his lips at facing such a sloppy defence.<\/p>\n
United then have an all-English clash in the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea, which at least means there will be a Premier League team in the semis. Berbatov has already notched against the Blues this season – in the Charity Shield – but apart from his hat-trick against Liverpool back in September, has failed to score again against a team in the top six.<\/p>\n
United then go to Fulham in-between their two Chelsea ties – the sort of game where Berbatov could be employed for a timely reminder to Ferguson of his abilities. Although with only four strikes on the road this season perhaps the Scot will save his sultry striker for the home games.<\/p>\n
With the second Chelsea tie following just three days later and then an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City on the Saturday, United will be hoping they don’t do an Arsenal and crash out of two cups in a week. With Berbatov’s aforementioned penchant for scoring at home more than he does away, Ferguson may well pick the second leg against the Blues to feature the Bulgarian.<\/p>\n
A trip to Newcastle – where United have an impressive record over recent years – and the visit of Everton wrap up a busy month for the Red Devils, but if Berbatov gets to the end of it without any goals or much playing time, he can forget about that new deal. <\/p>\n
More players to watch out for in April<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/a6ff934614701_thumb.jpg.jpg\")
The returning hero – Rafael van der Vaart (Spurs)<\/span><\/p>\nMaybe hero is a bit strong but the Dutchman was a popular figure at Real Madrid and now has a chance to prove that the Spaniards were wrong to let him move to Tottenham for the increasingly-bargain looking \u00a38m. Spurs meet Real in the Champions League quarter-finals this month. Van der Vaart to score the winner, anyone?
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/64a2c65d21620_thumb.jpg.jpg\")
The star on the seaside – Charlie Adam (Blackpool)<\/span><\/p>\nHe may have been awful for Scotland last week, but Charlie Adam is still turning it on for the Tangerines and will need to keep that up if his side are to climb away from the relegation zone, which is rapidly getting closer to Ian Holloway’s team as results don’t quite match performances.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/4385b8f924556_thumb.jpg.jpg\")
The goal-shy striker – Fernando Torres (Chelsea)<\/span><\/p>\nThe Spaniard will be hoping that goals are a bit like buses: once one arrives more are not far behind. After his \u00a350m switch from Liverpool, ‘El Nino’ is still waiting for his debut strike for the Blues and it would seem unimaginable that he will get to the end of April without scoring. And with some important games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this month, he’ll be hoping to get off the mark.<\/p>\n
Related Links<\/h4>\nTeams<\/h4>\nPlayers<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Players<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n As the season gets into full swing, our Big Month series puts the spotlight on a player for whom the following four-and-a-bit weeks will be pivotal. A decent month and it could set up their season, a poor few weeks and the pressure will continue to build.<\/em> This month…<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Dimitar Berbatov \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Dimitar Berbatov<\/a> has only started two of the last six games for Manchester United<\/a> after losing his place in the starting lineup to Chicharito<\/a>, but with the amount of games his side have got in the next four weeks, they are going to need him.<\/p>\n Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have seven matches crammed into April without so much as a midweek off, as they look to stay in the hunt for a treble of trophies: The Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. If there is a month that will make or break United’s season, it’s this one.<\/p>\n And yet despite finding himself relegated to the bench, Berbatov is still United’s, and the league’s, top scorer with 20 goals. Critics will point to the fact that 25 per cent of those came in one match against a woeful Blackburn side, while another 15% were smashed home in the 5-0 drubbing of Birmingham at Old Trafford and it’s a valid point. <\/p>\n But screw percentages (this isn’t poker), without the Bulgarian’s goals it is safe to say United probably wouldn’t be sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.<\/p>\n But even with his goals this term, there are still doubts lingering over his future at Old Trafford, and if video evidence of Ferguson laughing at Berbatov while he sulked on the bench recently is anything to go by, that relationship is heading for a breaking point. Especially as the Bulgarian is reportedly desperate to pen a new deal at Old Trafford but has had to sit and watch seven of his team-mates get upgraded contracts, while he is still waiting. <\/p>\n Which, let’s face it, would be slightly frustrating for a player that statistically is one of the best in the team and could argue that he is one of the reasons his side are heading for domestic, and potentially European, glory.<\/p>\n So, how many games will Berbatov actually feature in for United this month? There will certainly be chances to convince Ferguson to drop Chicharito and re-install him in the first team. Ferguson has revealed United are trying to keep the young Mexican “fresh”, which will be music to Berbatov’s ears.<\/p>\n In between tough ties against Chelsea and Manchester City in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively, United have some winnable league games that could see them pull away from Arsenal at the top of the table, and after picking off Blackburn and Birmingham, Berbatov will be confident of adding to his tally against West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Newcastle. If he plays, of course.<\/p>\n The Hammers travel to Old Trafford at the weekend with one of the worst away records in the league having shipped 15 goals in their last six games on the road. Stats like that will have the Bulgarian licking his lips at facing such a sloppy defence.<\/p>\n United then have an all-English clash in the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea, which at least means there will be a Premier League team in the semis. Berbatov has already notched against the Blues this season – in the Charity Shield – but apart from his hat-trick against Liverpool back in September, has failed to score again against a team in the top six.<\/p>\n United then go to Fulham in-between their two Chelsea ties – the sort of game where Berbatov could be employed for a timely reminder to Ferguson of his abilities. Although with only four strikes on the road this season perhaps the Scot will save his sultry striker for the home games.<\/p>\n With the second Chelsea tie following just three days later and then an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City on the Saturday, United will be hoping they don’t do an Arsenal and crash out of two cups in a week. With Berbatov’s aforementioned penchant for scoring at home more than he does away, Ferguson may well pick the second leg against the Blues to feature the Bulgarian.<\/p>\n A trip to Newcastle – where United have an impressive record over recent years – and the visit of Everton wrap up a busy month for the Red Devils, but if Berbatov gets to the end of it without any goals or much playing time, he can forget about that new deal. <\/p>\n More players to watch out for in April<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Maybe hero is a bit strong but the Dutchman was a popular figure at Real Madrid and now has a chance to prove that the Spaniards were wrong to let him move to Tottenham for the increasingly-bargain looking \u00a38m. Spurs meet Real in the Champions League quarter-finals this month. Van der Vaart to score the winner, anyone? He may have been awful for Scotland last week, but Charlie Adam is still turning it on for the Tangerines and will need to keep that up if his side are to climb away from the relegation zone, which is rapidly getting closer to Ian Holloway’s team as results don’t quite match performances.<\/p>\n The Spaniard will be hoping that goals are a bit like buses: once one arrives more are not far behind. After his \u00a350m switch from Liverpool, ‘El Nino’ is still waiting for his debut strike for the Blues and it would seem unimaginable that he will get to the end of April without scoring. And with some important games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this month, he’ll be hoping to get off the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n
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<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n <\/strong><\/span><\/em>“When you consider all the attributes forwards need, Wayne is No.1 in my opinion. He’s the best forward I’ve ever played with.”<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nThe returning hero – Rafael van der Vaart (Spurs)<\/span><\/p>\nThe star on the seaside – Charlie Adam (Blackpool)<\/span><\/p>\nThe goal-shy striker – Fernando Torres (Chelsea)<\/span><\/p>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/a2ccc4a8115479_news.jpg-150x150.jpg\")
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