Source: SKY_Sports
Fergie defends Berbatov
Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Dimitar Berbatov's form in the wake of his dreadful FA Cup semi-final penalty miss against Everton.
Berbatov emerged off the bench in Sunday's semi-final at Wembley, but failed to break the deadlock before missing United's opening spot-kick on the back of Tim Cahill's miss.
The Bulgaria international has now gone six games without a goal following his winner at Newcastle, prompting some to label United's expensive capture a poor signing.
However, Ferguson does not think his form is ebbing away and that, if anything, he impressed off the substitutes' bench.
"He will be criticised for that because when you pay £30m for a player everyone thinks you should be able to score from a penalty kick," he said.
"But it's just not as simple as that.
No evidence"I don't see any evidence that he's tailing off. He had his injury and missed a couple of games, but he came on and did well in the game.
"He did really well. He's disappointed to miss a penalty, of course. He was upset, but it was a disappointed dressing room.
"You lose in a semi-final - and it's the first we've lost - and that's not easy to take. Anyone can lose on a penalty kick, I've lost many like Sunday.
"I don't see it as a defining part of my career because anyone can win or lose them."
Meanwhile, Ferguson hopes former Red Devil Phil Neville goes on to lift the FA Cup at Wembley following their semi-final triumph.
Special
The 32-year-old has spent the majority of his career at Old Trafford before switching to Goodison Park and Ferguson believes he is 'special'.
"Phil is one of the special people in the game so I hope he is picking up that cup," said Ferguson.
"Everyone knows his connection to Manchester United. He was here so long as a kid.
"I know he was captaining Everton in a semi-final but don't tell me there was not one small part in him that was saying, 'Christ I am going to knock Manchester United out of the cup here'.
"It goes to show you the integrity of the man. He is a fantastic person and no-one in the game deserves it more than he does."
