Sir Alex Delighted For Dimitar

Sir Alex was bang on in his column for the match programme: "I think there's plenty more to come from the re-energised Dimitar Berbatov this season."

The Reds' number nine rose magnificently to the occasion at Old Trafford on Sunday, slaying the manager's most revered opponents Liverpool with a glorious hat-trick - his first for the club and the first by any United player in this fixture since Stan Pearson in September 1946.

"I'm told it's the first hat-trick for more than 60 years for a United player against Liverpool," said Sir Alex.

"That tells you what a big achievement it is. We're very pleased for him because his form has been excellent.

"There was a lot of criticism of Dimitar in the media last season. It happens when we buy a player for a lot of money and they don't score a hat-trick in every game. That's the way of the world for some players who come here.

"This season he's started off in the right fashion. His pre-season training was very good, he was good on the pre-season tour and he's carried that on. But there's never been any doubt here about the quality of the man, never any doubt. We've seen his quality again today."

Berbatov's second goal, a bicycle kick that was bookended by two headers, was the best example yet of the beauty in the Bulgarian's game. Sir Alex enthused:

"When players try overhead kicks, I don't see many of them come off. But today it did. It was a fantastic strike, catching the underside of the bar. It was a marvellous attempt by him."

Sir Alex was speaking to MUTV and Sky Sports.