Manchester United FC

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Berbatov backed by Fergie

21 Apr 2009 - 08:16:49

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Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Dimitar Berbatov to bounce back from the disappointment of missing a penalty in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final shoot-out defeat to Everton.

The Bulgaria international has been severely criticised after his weak spot-kick was easily saved by Toffees keeper Tim Howard.

However, Ferguson has defended the player he signed last August, saying: "He'll be criticised for that because, when you pay £30million for a player, everyone thinks you should be able to score from a penalty kick. But it's just not as simple as that.

"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."

Ferguson made eight changes to the line-up which started last week's Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto for the Wembley date.

The likes of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda and Fabio da Silva managed to hold Everton to a goalless draw after 120 minutes before losing 4-2 in the shoot-out.