Dimitar Berbatov strikes Golden boot

Dimitar berbatov with his prize.

After holding the Premier League trophy aloft, Dimitar Berbatov has now got his hands on a personal trophy for his efforts during the title-winning campaign.

The Bulgarian’s 20 goals were enough to share top spot in the scorers’ chart with City’s former Red Carlos Tevez and pick up the Golden Boot award from Barclays.

In a season where the classy striker hit three hat-tricks, including an incredible five-goal show against Blackburn, the prize is certainly well merited.

“On a personal level I’m delighted to win this award,” he told ManUtd.com. “To finish as the joint-top scorer in the best league in the world is a huge honour and something I’ll always be very proud of. I love scoring goals and providing entertainment for the fans – I hope I’ve done that this season.

“Most importantly, though, I feel happy knowing that my goals helped the team win the league. We made history this season by winning the title for the 19th time and it was a great feeling to be involved in that achievement. Individual awards are fine, but they mean nothing if you don’t win trophies as well.

“I want to thank the United fans for their support and, of course, my team-mates, who make it very easy for me to enjoy my time here and score goals.”

Source: manutd.com

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Sir Alex Ferguson says that United can beat FC Barcelona

Alex Ferguson has said that Manchester United have What it takes to beat Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on next May 28. 

The Scotch man is convinced that United can add European glory to a likely Premier League league title. 

Now, I am going to add my thoughts:

I think this time United can beat Barcelona for two reasons, first, We play in England and that's all the motivation that we need and second these year United is playing much better than in 2009. 

I hope that United can lift both trophies, Premier league and Champions league at the end of the seasons. We are the best team in around the world and we have the best coach forever. 

What do you think? Could United win both trophies? 

Have your say!

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United Ready For Barcelona Game

Manchester United all but secured the Barclays Premier League title on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea which put them six points ahead of their closest challengers with just two games to go. Although United still need a point to officially secure the title, they can now start turning their attention to the prospect of a mouthwatering final with the Spanish Champions on May 28th.

The general consensus among the football media is that Barcelona are unstoppable and that United are very much second favourites for the Wembley showdown. The opinion is that this is not as strong a Manchester United side in recent years and as a result Barcelona will be too strong for them.

On a player by player basis, I would agree with the first half of that statement. Wayne Rooney aside, United do not have a truly world class player in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo or Carlos Tevez. However, as a collective unit, this is arguably one of the most dogged and determined United sides of recent times.

Sure, away from home United have been nothing more than ordinary this season and have leaked goals at an alarming rate. But as has always been a trait in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, when they have needed to get the job done, they have got it done. Last weeks defeat at Arsenal was disappointing but owed as much to a strong performance from Arsene Wenger’s men than it did to poor play from United. However as they have done in responding to defeats by Manchester City and others this season, United bounced back with a victory when it mattered to all but clinch the Premiership title.

That new additions are required in the summer is without question, but there is enough about this group of players - who have scored in every home match this season and are unbeaten at Old Trafford - to win the trophy at Wembley later this month.

United are capable of organising their defensive line in a way that Barcelona do not regularly encounter and with the pace on the break of Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Luis Antonio Valencia, they have more than enough to cause Pep Guardiola’s men problems. Ferguson will still hope to get Darren Fletcher back into his side to face the Catalans but with the pressure off in the remaining games with Blackburn and Blackpool, he has time and freedom to tinker with his side to find a winning formula.

Written by Eddie Smith, a sports blogger who writes about classic football shirts.

Can Manchester United Defeat Barcelona?

Manchester United cruised into the 2011 Champions League Final last night after an emphatic 4-1 victory over Schalke 04 in the second leg of the semi final to setup a mouthwatering clash with Barcelona.

Sir Alex Ferguson was criticised by many prior to the match when the team lineups were announced as the United boss opted to rest a number of top stars including Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, ahead of Sunday’s vital clash with Chelsea. However it was a very comfortable night for those stars in Man Utd shirts and in truth, Schalke never looked likely to cause United any problems. As Champions League semi finals go, this was about as easy as they are going to come.

The problem United now have is that on one hand, eyes and minds are already turning to a revenge mission at Wembley on May 28th as they look to avenge their 2009 defeat to a team hailed as the greatest of all time. However, for the players and manager, this must be forgotten about as there is still a considerable amount of work to be done in the race to regain the Premiership title.

Defeat at home to Chelsea on Sunday would hand Carlos Ancelotti’s men an almost unthinkable chance at the title as the Blues would go top of the table with just two games to play. Having already lost the reverse fixture 2-1 at Stamford Bridge back in March, United will be well aware of the threat posed, despite a home and away victory over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter finals.

Many critics have suggested that this Manchester United team is a poor reflection of previous versions and many doubt the ability of Sir Alex’s side to go to the full distance. However, I expect them to beat Chelsea on Sunday and in doing so all but regain the title they lost to the Blues on the final day of the 2009/10 season. I also expect them to beat FC Barcelona in the Final at Wembley later this month.

As poor as United have been at times in the Premiership this season, they have been emphatic in Europe. Schalke were absolutely blown away, Chelsea were dispatched without difficulty and wins in Turkey, Valencia and Ibrox in the group stages underlined both the quality and depth of the United squad. Barcelona may pose a different threat entirely but as Arsenal and Real Madrid have recently showed, they are not unbeatable.

As good a side as Barcelona are, they struggle to break down the type of well organised defence they are not accustomed to playing in the attack minded La Liga. Arsenal went to the Nou Camp and until the ridiculous sending off of Robin van Persie, Barcelona had created relatively little. Similarly, Madrid shut them out in the Copa del Rey and were reasonably comfortable until Pepe’s red card opened the space and the floodgates.

While this United side may not be as flamboyant as previous generations, they are well organised and a strong defensive unit. Barcelona will find it difficult to break United down and with the pace and flair going forward of the likes of Nani and Luis Antonio Valencia, they can expose the defensive weaknesses of the Catalans.

It will be a difficult task and they will certainly have to ride their luck, but Manchester United CAN beat Barcelona.

Written by Eddie Smith, a sports blogger who writes about La Liga.

Barcelona v United for a Champions rematch

Manchester United and Barcelona both got a lead for 2-0 in the first game in semi-finals for the champions league. And could will be a rematch of the 2009 champions league final, but this time in Wembley Stadium later this month.    

Both teams have a chance to win a fourth European title, but this will require to negotiate the second-leg semi-finals in the UCL.

Manchester United is certainly confident that Schalke’s longest run in the competition will end at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney is not set to play on Sunday's premier league match against Chelsea,  which is just three points behind United with three matches to go. 

"I will make some changes on Wednesday without question, I will bring Paul Scholes back in, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. We'll need to do that but I will probably keep my experienced players at the back. We have a big week ahead. two massive games, so we will regroup and freshen it up," said Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Source: National Post

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