Race For The Golden Boot

Dimitar Berbatov enters the final day of the season as the Barclays Premier League’s joint top scorer, level with former Reds team-mate Carlos Tevez on 20 goals.

United welcome Blackpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, while Tevez’s Manchester City travel to Bolton’s Reebok Stadium. Should neither player score, or both score the same number of goals, the Golden Boot will be shared. But that’s not what Sir Alex wants.

The Reds boss has plumped for Javier Hernandez ahead of Berbatov in recent weeks but confirmed United’s Bulgarian striker will start on Sunday in a game Sir Alex predicts will feature “a few goals”.

“It’s obvious that the emergence of Chicharito has made it difficult for me to pick Berbatov above Chicharito given his performance level, his goals, his freshness and his pace,” Sir Alex explained at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I think Dimitar understands that and he’s never complained. And when Dimitar’s been given his opportunity he’s done his best. He’ll play on Sunday and hopefully he’ll end up as the top goalscorer.”

Reds full-back Patrice Evra, who forged a strong friendship with Carlos Tevez during his time at Old Trafford, agrees with the manager: he wants Dimitar to win the Golden Boot.

“Berba is different class,” Patrice said. “I really hope he ends the season as the league’s top scorer. Whenever I get the ball I’ll be passing to Berba because I want him to score!”

Berbatov's league goals have come at a rate of one every 106 minutes this season, with Tevez finding the net for City, on average, every 121 minutes. Take penalties out of the equation (Berbatov hasn't netted from the spot) and Tevez's strike-rate rises to one every 151 minutes.

The Bulgarian's also scored more winning goals (seven) than any other player in the Premier League this term. Fingers crossed he grabs another on Sunday...

Race for the Golden Boot

20 goals - Berbatov, Tevez
17 goals - Darren Bent, Robin van Persie
15 goals - Peter Odemwingie
13 goals - DJ Campbell
13 goals - Andrew Carroll
13 goals - Javier Hernandez
13 goals - Dirk Kuyt
13 goals - Florent Malouda