Berbatov 'Can Be Like Eric'

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with Dimitar Berbatov's contribution in his first season at United and hopes the Bulgarian can have the same long-term impact on the side as Eric Cantona.

Berbatov has already popped up with several crucial goals for the Reds – something Frenchman Cantona made a happy knack of during his four-and-a-half seasons with the club.

"Dimi is a different player to what we had last season," Sir Alex said. "He has a patience and composure in the final third of the field, which is helping us.

"He’s scored four or five winning goals for us now. Cantona used to score important goals and if Berbatov continues to, then it’s an emphatic result for us."

United are seven points clear at the top of the league and Ferguson admits he couldn't have hoped to be in a better position heading into the run-in.

"If you’d asked me at the start of the season where I’d like to be in March, it wouldn't have been far off where we are at the moment," he said.

"We’re in the position we want to be and the next week is important. If we navigate it well, there are a lot of exciting things ahead for us."

Vital statistics

Berbatov's 2008/09 goals

30/09/08 Aalborg 0-3 United (2)
18/10/08 United 4-0 West Brom
21/10/08 United 3-0 Celtic (2)
15/11/08 United 5-0 Stoke
29/12/08 United 1-0 Middlesbrough
11/01/09 United 3-0 Chelsea
17/01/09 Bolton 0-1 United
24/01/09 United 2-1 Tottenham
27/01/09 West Brom 0-5 United
18/02/09 United 3-0 Fulham
04/03/09 Newcastle 1-2 United