Dimitar Berbatov said that Manchester United “deserved to go out” after a dismal group stage display in the Champions League and also labelled the team’s exit as “embarrassing”
Berbatov, who spent four years at Old Trafford, amassed 56 goals for the club and collected two Premier League titles, two Carling cups and three FA Cups along the way.
The Bulgarian has vented his frustration at watching this new era at Manchester United disastrously unravel, stating that he felt horrendous looking at his former side get rolled over 3-0 at home by Bournemouth on the weekend.
United’s misery compounded in midweek when they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich which meant they have been eliminated from European competitions altogether.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite his annoyance, Berbatov could not make any excuses for United’s miserable European campaign and said they deserved to crash out.
In an interview with Betfair, Berbatov said: “Of course, it’s disappointing for everyone to finish below Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League. The performances based on results were not good enough.
“No European football for Man United is bad because Old Trafford is about European nights.
“They weren’t good in the Champions League, and they deserved to go out. Some people will be angry because, with all due respect to Copenhagen and Galatasaray, you shouldn’t finish last in that group.
“Even if you look good and lose, it’s not good enough because, in the Champions League group stage, you need the points to qualify. It’s about the results.
“The consistency and concentration was not there. So, they’ve finished last in the group and they’ll feel embarrassed.”
Berbatov was openly critical in his assessment of Manchester United but could not help but highlight the bizarre injury crisis that is unfolding at the club, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw the latest to join a list of now 13 players that are potentially absent from Erik ten Hag’s side that face Liverpool on Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter being trounced 7-0 in this fixture last season, Berbatov urged United to put things right with an encouraging performance at Anfield and said that “anything can happen” in a derby setting.
“I felt like s*** watching the Bournemouth game”, Berbatov said.
“United won against Chelsea and then they played Bournemouth at Old Trafford. With all due respect to Bournemouth, United need to win games like this. I was watching the game, and it felt like United didn’t have an answer to the way Bournemouth were playing. Then they had Bayern Munich and lost that game.
“Now they go to Liverpool. Even with the injury list, losing games means Erik ten Hag needs to answer questions. You are doubting yourself and you’re now playing one of your biggest rivals. You are in a type of form that you don’t want to be in when you play Liverpool – that’s the problem.
“Of course, there’s hope – there is always hope! Especially when it’s a derby. United are coming off the back of two defeats, but when it’s a derby you expect the boys to understand what this game is about.
“Even though they have lost the previous two games, United still have to believe they can beat Liverpool on Sunday. It doesn’t matter how hard it is. The chance is there.
“Liverpool are the favourites on paper, based on the results, but in games like this, the hope is always there, as long as you don’t make stupid mistakes.”
As Berbatov mentioned, United have opportunities to resuscitate their fading season over the coming months. It starts with a performance against Liverpool, but a positive showing in the FA Cup and at least a valiant push for top four would certainly fill United fans with some much-needed optimism.
However, given the current state of the club internally and the torrid run of form, they find themselves in, it may be a while before we see Manchester United return to challenging for silverware and competing in Europe’s premier club competition.
