As we reported as early as May of last year (see Full Story), Dimitar Berbatov was on course to eventually join Manchester United.
As the transfer window began to shut, I was beginning to fear whether Sir Alex could actually get the deal done. I sent several of my friends and colleagues located in the U.K. messages asking if anything was on the news there regarding finalization of the transfer. Everyone I asked hadn’t seen anything.
I finally got confirmation via an email alert I have setup with Google News about 2 and a half hours after the window closed.
The details are as follows:
- £30.75 million transfer fee.
- Frazier Campbell on-loan for the season
- Tottenham will drop the grievance they filed against Manchester United.
What Manchester United received:
A 27 year old, 6 foot 2 inch out and out striker. A large target that scored 23 total (15 league) goals in the 2007/2008 season.
Some argue that the price tag on Berbatov was too high, but I believe he will be just what Man United needs — a potent weapon attacking the goal — something we severely lack now. With Ronaldo still out for another month or so, all of the pressure has fallen on Carlos Tevez to produce goals. (I believe Rooney’s days as an out and out striker are numbered, but more on that in a follow-up post) There are few players that work as hard as Tevez, but to truly challenge for the title this season, the line-up we started with will not cut it. Expecting the Tevez/Rooney pairing to produce goals without Ronaldo moving through the midfield is asking too much. As of this writing neither has scored, and the “fire power” (although more like a candle light) has been provided by Fletcher (2) and Vidic (1). Anyone should be able to see that Berbatov can only help them team… What’s your opinion?
