Source: Eurosport
Ferguson Defends Berbatov
Sir Alex Ferguson has leapt to the defence of record signing Dimitar Berbatov.[LNB]The Bulgarian's £30.75million transfer fee has been the subject of considerable debate almost since the day he moved north from Tottenham last summer.[LNB]And the critics were out in force again on Sunday following Berbatov's woeful penalty miss in the FA Cup semi-final shoot-out defeat to Everton at Wembley.[LNB]As one of United's more experienced players, a lot more was expected of Berbatov on Sunday, although afterwards he did look genuinely distraught at the defeat.[LNB]And Ferguson confirmed the 28-year-old was upset before defending his contribution to the Old Trafford cause.[LNB]"He will get criticism because when you pay £30million for a player everyone thinks he should be able to score with a penalty kick," said Ferguson.[LNB]"He was upset and disappointed, as we all were.[LNB]"But I don't see any evidence of Berbatov's season tailing off.[LNB]"He has missed a few games and overall yesterday, I thought he did really well."[LNB]While Ferguson's desire for victory could not be questioned after his rant at referee Mike Riley for failing to give a spot-kick when Danny Welbeck was brought down by Phil Jagielka in the second half, the Scot is not getting too down about the defeat.[LNB]After winning three successive shoot-outs, including last season's Champions League final, he knew a defeat was inevitable at some stage.[LNB]"Anyone can lose out a penalty kick shoot-out," he said.[LNB]"I cannot look upon it as a definition of the team's record. It is done, we just have to move on."[LNB]
