Berbatov, Tevez, and Sir Alex Ferguson
If Sir Alex Ferguson was watching the game tonight, there is one thing which will have occupied his thoughts – Carlos Tevez’ role as attacking fulcrum at Manchester City.
Tevez’ hat-trick tonight made it 14 goals at City this season, which, when compared with Dimitar Berbatov’s 6 really shines the light on Ferguson’s decision to buy Berbatov in the first place. It now appears he made a mistake in bidding for him with Carlos Tevez at the club – he behaved like the man in a healthy relationship with a girlfriend perfect for him, yet who nevertheless covets the model with a large chest.
Of course, the Bulgarian’s talent is not in doubt, and I have never subscribed to the view that he is lazy. His languid style is the product of a mental attitude that allows him the sublime touches, imperious through balls and classy finishes when on song. Players attempt to reach the mental state known as ‘the zone’ in a variety of different ways, but concentration and relaxation are key.
Berbatov’s style is a manifestation of how he feels comfortable playing, and in any case, the stats for the ground he has covered when playing have never backed up the cliché. It’s become evident however, that his confidence fluctuates and he has struggled to find his rhythm on the grand stage that is Manchester United.
Ferguson went on record when the Tevez transfer situation came to a head saying that the player wasn’t worth the 28 million requested by Kia Joorabchian. Yet, on numerous occasions last season – the game against Tottenham at Old Trafford comes to mind – Tevez was brought off the bench to galvanise the team, which he often did to devastating effect.
His ability to drop deep, receive the ball and run at defenders, thereby creating space for his teammates, was in contrast to Berbatov who was used almost as a playmaker from deep positions, where to be fair to him, he finished the season with 9 assists. The trouble is, playing further forward this year, Berbatov has not kicked on and scored the type of goals fans were used to in his days at Tottenham.
What with the loss of Ronaldo, the arrested development of Nani and Anderson, the aging of Paul Scholes, and the alarming slump of Michael Carrick that seems to have been precipitated by his poor display in the Champions League final, Manchester United have seemed to lack real creativity and drive from central midfield.
If Tevez had stayed at the club, he could have been an integral cog in how they function, as he is revelling in the limelight at Manchester City. But it is clear that Fergie was taken in by Berbatov’s flair and thus overlooked Tevez’ dynamic, reliable presence. His error was in not apportioning the value of the two players correctly.
Fans don’t always know best, but Manchester United’s have never really taken to Berbatov, and we all know what they thought of Carlos Tevez, whose marvellous work-rate was and indeed is, mentioned repetitively by broadcasters and pundits alike.
For once, Fergie should have listened to them, and to himself: he repeatedly said in his press conferences that Carlos Tevez was a scorer of important goals. In the Champions League against Lyon, the league game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and particularly in the Carling Cup, where he finished top scorer, he was a key figure.
All of which combines to make Ferguson’s eventual appraisal of Tevez slightly baffling; what kind of point haul would Manchester United have had this year if they had kept him? Would they have been a better side? The answer has to be yes.
Dimitar Berbatov may still have a chance for redemption at Manchester United – his talent is such that if he comes good, it will be worth it in the manner of Ibrahimovic’s success at Barcelona, as they are very similar players, but for the time being, even the most hard nosed United fan must admit that their team misses Tevez.
And if Manchester City achieve the success they crave, it’s very likely a large part of it will be down to the wandering eyes of Alex Ferguson.
Topics: Alex Ferguson, Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov, English Premier League, Manchester United
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Some interesting thoughts – have you watched much of City or United this season by the way? This seems better than your other recent posts on Arsenal et al.
January 12th, 2010 @ 10:36Old red nose insists on playing his strikers the wrong way round.
January 12th, 2010 @ 11:13Berbatov should be the target man (nobody traps a ball better) with Rooney playing behind him.
Rooney insists on being the target man
I couldn’t agree more. In terms of valuation Tevez cannot be worth much less than Berba. Specially that he is a proven player in a United shirt -no risks! Clear error by SAF.
He did wonderfully for us in two seasons, and at many times he was better than Rooney himself -whose temper affects his focus in critical moments, unlike Tevez. Plus their partnership worked as magic.
Pompous boyfriend behaviour indeed.
January 12th, 2010 @ 13:44Cracking article, I feel you’ve made a very astute point and it was an extremely enjoyable read, what more could one ask for. In response to Anthony above, I think he may just have watched the odd game if he’s able to form such views, it would be a pretty good guess now wouldn’t it…..
January 12th, 2010 @ 16:40Berbatov has been playing with nagging knee injury all season. If he is 100% healthy he is 2+x better than Tevez. No disrespect to the latter, though he is showing a good form right now. You can write off Berba this season. If his knee heals he will be the at minimum 2nd best ManU player next season.
January 12th, 2010 @ 18:11yeah Tevez might be scoring more goals than Berbatov and Man U may be mising him in certain times, but still Man U is second in the the league and city is what 6th or something like that. So there is no doubt about who is on the wining side.
January 12th, 2010 @ 19:38tevez all the way..he will become a highest scorer this season and more to follow…
January 12th, 2010 @ 20:37Interesting. I’m sure Ferguson made it clear that Manchester United had offered Tevez a substantial deal, and had offered Joorabchian around 25 million pounds which Joorabchian had accepted, Tevez just rejected that in favour of the City deal. I don’t think Ferguson could do anything more to keep him really. To be honest, I’m sure Tevez wanted to leave because he was most often on the bench which means you could blame Ferguson for that I suppose. But tactically Tevez just couldn’t really start, not if Ronaldo and Rooney were also. I don’t really think Ferguson did much wrong to be honest, he knew Tevez’s capabilities but couldn’t do much to avoid what happened. I think it says alot about how much he was valued by the fact that United were prepared to spend 25 million on Tevez given their financial position. Ferguson wanted a healthy relationship with a girlfriend perfect for him AND the model with a large chest, but the girlfriend perfect for him went off with the young and wealthy businessman.
January 12th, 2010 @ 23:06‘even the most hard nosed United fan must admit that their team misses Tevez.’
Don’t agree actually. The Tevez of last season is not missed by me. Let’s not forget that he scored just 5 league goals last year.
Berbatov has scored 6 this season and has only started 12 of Utd’s 21 games. People have short memories. This time last season the debate was raging about whether Tevez was just a workhorse with insufficient end product. I saw one Liverpool fan describe him as the equivalent of Kuyt….runs around a lot but doesn’t score enough.
Anyone would want a striker in the sort of scoring form tat Tevez has been in in recent weeks….but let’s not jump the gun here. If he keeps it going he’ll have stepped-up a notch and Utd will rue his departure but until then…………….
January 13th, 2010 @ 05:21Tevez was a critical player in every team he played starting with Boca Jrs (League, Libertadores, Intercontinental 2003), Athens 2004, then Corinthians –Initially Carlos was not well received by the Corinthians fans, including Brazilian president Lula. However, Tevez overcame this predicament to become the captain and star of the team that won the 2005 Brazilian league, and the fans´ favourite player…you know the rest. Yes, Berba is good.
January 13th, 2010 @ 06:06Sir Alex may be a great coach, but not a good judge of talent. What about his bringing Michael Owens to old Tratford? How wise a move was that? Owens is prone to injuries. He is not the Owens at Lwe knew at Liverpole. I think he allows his emotions to take control of his thought process.
January 13th, 2010 @ 06:32Berbartov will fit well at Arsenal where grace and fluidity are their trademark. Manchester United is not the place for him. Roney needs another forceful attacker up front with him. Neither Owens nor Berbatov fit the mould. Sir Alex, you dropped the ball on this one. You have surrendered the EPL’s title to Chelsea.
I think Manchester United miss Carlos Queiroz, when he was around SAF made better decisions about which players to bring in. Just before he came to manchester it was the era of Djemba-Djemba, Bellion, Kleberson, Miller,Fortune on and on and on. Now after his departure it seems we are back to the same place,
January 13th, 2010 @ 08:56too many hiring mistakes by SAF. Right now at Manchester United there are too many workaholics not enough artists. Hell even Steven Pienaar is better that the whole Man U midfield with the exception perhaps of Giggs. I wish Queiroz could quit portugal and go back to old trafford..
Form is temporary, whereas class is eternal. Tevez is having a purple patch, yes, but so were Darren Bent and Tamir Cohen earlier this season, and Geovanni for Hull last year, but have since slumped. Tevez was very, very average at the start of the year and will be average again, whereas Berbatov has showed quality touches in most games for United, but has only struggled to find the net, something that will surely change.
However, I do think that with the sale of Ronaldo, Fergie could have kept Berbatov AND Tevez, as he obviously had the funds to do so. City and Tottenham have shown that it’s never a bad thing to have depth up front (Crouch, Defoe and Keane have all scored hat-tricks for Spurs this season, whereas Adebayor, Tevez and Bellamy have all had good patches of form this season) and with Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, and Tevez, United would have had a potent and fearsome strike force.
January 13th, 2010 @ 11:36@Che: Firstly it’s Michael Owen…not Owens. Secondly, he was a bet to nothing….cost nothing….paid on appearances…..and never expected to do a lot. 7 goals so far does me but he’s a cheap addition to the bench and no more.
January 13th, 2010 @ 13:42tevez is having a purple patch right now and to be honest, he can be very average at times.Berba was the right man to bring in to United, the move just hasn’t worked out, but SAF isn’t to blame for that.Berba hasn’t played well bcoz of his own underconfidence. But rather than letting him go, Manu needs a better midfield, bcoz they lack creativity.If anyone should be shown the door, its Anderson and Nani because they are both very frustrating players and have not played well for two consecutive matches ever. Thinking that rooney can alone take manu to the title is absurd bcoz he is not in the league of messi,cr7, kaka,villa etc.With fergie determined not to do business in the winter, i, being a Manu fan have to admit that we do not have the resources to win a fourth consecutive title.
January 13th, 2010 @ 19:42