THERE'S only one way Dimitar Berbatov can answer his enduring critics and that is to score more goals.
A centre forward is always judged on that currency whatever his other talents andBerbatov, for all his subtle skills and unselfishness, did not find the net enough in his first two seasons at Old Trafford to justify his club record £30.5million fee.
Sir Alex Ferguson has remarked wryly that the moody Bulgarian needs to score a hat-trick a game to satisfy the demandingManchester United public but he has certainly started this season promisingly.
He followed up his beautifully executed lob in the Community Shield win over Chelsea with a well-taken effort last night. And he could have added another two in the second half as United cruised to a comfortable win.
Manchester United's Namanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov congratulate Ryan Giggs after his goal
Newcastle had defended well for 33 minutes, but then their discipline lapsed for Berbatov’s goal, which was followed quickly by one from Darren Fletcher that effectively ended the game as a contest before the break.
The only surprise was that United added only one goal after the break when Wayne Rooney, still not fully match fit, gave way to new boy Javier Hernandez.
The hallmark of Newcastle’s charge to the Championship title last season was their defensive organisation, not something often associated with Newcastle teams.
They dealt with United’s early thrusts quite comfortably but could not maintain the discipline and conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes of the half.
United had to wait eight minutes before their first shot on target when Rooney took a pass from Nani but curled his effort high and wide.
It was Newcastle who should have taken an early
lead a minute later, when Andy Carroll planted a free header wide after
Joey Barton’s corner had eluded Nemanja Vidic.
While
Barton’s moustache came as a surprise – he has vowed not to shave if
off until Newcastle win a Premier League game – few eyebrows were raised
when he became the first player to be booked for a late challenge on
Nani.
Carroll forced Edwin Van der Sar to his
knees and Rooney showed he is still ring-rusty by scuffing a shot wide.
James Perch had to resort to rugby-style tackle to
stop Nani which earned him a caution.
Coloccini
almost ruined Newcastle’s good start with a suicidal pass across his own
penalty area to Michael Williamson, who scrambled the ball clear as
Nani closed in.
Rooney’s obvious frustration
continued when he skied a left-foot shot over the bar after Berbatov
had headed down Antonio Valencia’s cross and then when Coloccini robbed
him as he charged through.
But Berbatov eased
United’s growing anxiety by putting them ahead after 33 minutes when he
drove a low shot past Steve Harper after a perfectly weighted pass from
Paul Scholes.
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Newcastle were the architects of
their own downfall however because Gutierrez lost possession in midfield
and John O’Shea was able to pick up the loose ball and feed Scholes.
on target when Rooney took a pass from Nani but
curled his effort high and wide.
Barton showed poor judgment when he robbed Nani but
shot at Edwin Van der Sar from a tight angle when he had two team-mates
waiting for a cross.
United made it two after 41 minutes when Nani and
Evra opened up Newcastle’s defence. Rooney could not control Patrice
Evra’s cross but Fletcher poked home the loose ball.
United squandered two openings to increase their lead
in the early minutes of the second half. Rooney unselfishly tried to
pick out Berbatov instead of shooting and his pass was blocked by
Coloccini. Then Rooney’s flick from a Scholes pass put Berbatov through,
but he stabbed his shot just wide of the post as Harper came out.
Despite their two-goal cushion, United were refusing
to ease off. That attitude was underlined by Scholes and Fletcher diving
into tackles on Nolan and Barton respectively that earned them
cautions.
Rooney’s frustrating night came to an
end just after an hour when Ferguson decided to give Hernandez his
Premier League debut. United made it 3-0 in the 85th minute when Scholes
sent the ball over to Giggs who volleyed past the helpless Harper.
Then a good right-footed effort by substitute Xisco
from 25-yards out from the right was comfortably saved by Van der Sar.
Manchester Utd (4-4-2): Van Der Sar; O’Shea, Vidic,
Evans, Evra (Rafael 87); Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani (Giggs 71);
Berbatov, Rooney (Hernandez 63). Booked: Scholes, Fletcher. Goals:
Berbatov 33, Fletcher 41, Giggs 85.