DIMITAR BERBATOV HAS revealed that it pains him to see Manchester United struggling in the Premier League and that their position in the table is of particular concern.
The Red Devils have made a disappointing start to the 2019-20 season and find themselves in 14th place in the standings after nine matches, some 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
They did, however, improve their performance levels in the 1-1 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s men at Old Trafford, following that result up with a 1-0 away win in the Europa League against Partizan Belgrade.
Berbatov is not happy, though, and says it’s “crazy” to think how far the club have fallen, with United almost always contenders for the title during the Sir Alex Ferguson years.
“We all know where Manchester United are in the table at the moment, and let me tell you, nobody wants to see them there. It makes me feel like sh*t, it’s not good and I don’t think anybody wants to look at the table,” the Bulgarian said.
“I don’t think anybody connected with the club will want to check the table at the moment, when you see a team with the calibre of Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and you see where they are in the table it is crazy to think how times have changed.
“The players will know what position they are but I don’t advise them to look at it because it isn’t going to make them feel good. On the other hand, you could say ‘come on boys, look at where we are – do we deserve to be here?’
“Maybe with some of the performances they have produced they deserve to be there and especially if they continue like that, but if they play the way they did like against Liverpool, with aggression and getting in the oppositions’ faces, then things will improve.
“I’ve said it before, but it’s not too late to turn things around. OK, don’t be looking at first position but fourth isn’t far off and there is time to get there but they must continue picking up the points, starting with three this weekend against Norwich.”
Anthony Martial marked his return to the starting XI with the winning goal in the victory over Partizan and Berbatov is hoping he now stays injury-free given his importance to the United attack.
He added: “It was great to see my mate Anthony Martial get on the score sheet on Thursday night. When you have been out for so long, things are tough. When you are injured you watch your mates train and you are with the physios, you see them putting their boots on, heading out on to the pitch and this can make you sad and depressed.
“You get all these feeling rush to your head and you want to get back as soon as possible and this can lead to mistakes, you could go out there and you’re not quite ready and you could get injured again. So, it’s really important to time right the moment you come back.
“In the case of Martial, to get going again and get a goal will give him even more confidence, especially for a striker.
“But like any other player, the most important thing now is to stay fit, know when to push hard and slowdown in training because when you have so many games you need to know when to save your energy. The last thing he and the club needs is to pick up another injury.”
On the latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly, Andy Dunne tells Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey about where it all went wrong for Joe Schmidt’s Ireland
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O Shea is diving all over the place when anyone comes near him and then he is complaining when a free is given against him when he effectively clothes lines a Galway player.
@Finnster: You could say he is hanging them out to dry
@Finnster: must be cold in Galway. They have the blanket well and truly out.
Mayo have been poor in attack. OShea keeping in the game. Galway can’t handle him.
@Finnster: pathetic from Galway at the end with the game won. OShea really has the patience of a saint. And he gets booked as well. Laughable.
@Desheen: agreed. Comer is turning into a very good player but he needs to stop the mouthing while it was pathetic by Paul conroy at the end. Galway still need to do it on a big day and in croker though, potentially a good team.
@Paul Mallon: I think Mayo still need to do it on big day in croker too
@thomas: yea fair point. Hopefully Galway really push on as the gaa need as many teams as possible competing come August time.
@Finnster: are you for real . We’re you at the game ? Mayo can’t take the beating. Galway are no angels but Mayo were filthy today.
@Finnster: and dey didnt beat de dubs in the final…
@Finnster: Mayo were drawn into it alright and are rightly no angles. I was referring to that specific incident. Mayo lost the heads also after that. Galway deserves the win but that was hard to watch. Fair play to them great start to d1.
It will be nice and spicy come the championship. How bad was the last ten minutes? Only heard it on the radio.sounded like a few cheap shots but I am glad Galway are showing some serious spine. Our football team was too nice for a long time.
Safe to say O’Connors league campaign hasent got off to the best of starts
@Sam Walsh: He’s good but he’s a liability, about time he was shown a red card
@Sam Walsh: hes no diarmud connolly.
@John Boyle: Maybe so but I wouldent be too worried if I was a Mayo fan. Still a top class side.
Delighted to see a ref brave enough to send that tramp O’Connor off. He’s always at it. But but but Mayo aren’t dirty of course.
@Ciara Baines: agreed , he was the same last year in the championship against Galway and now O Shea is at it. Galway slowly but surely coming good
@Ciara Baines: mayo are pure dorty . Dey were throwin gps’s at the dubs in the final last year