Manchester United News 24/7Writer: Zae 
Date:Monday January 11 2010
Time: 1:50PM
UK time is: 18:06:59
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Berbatov Could Be Out For Weeks
Dimitar Berbatov wasn't even in the squad for Saturday's trip to Birmingham and as poorly as he played against Leeds, you had to suspect it wasn't simply a tactical decision: after all, he can clearly offer more than Michael Owen or the untested Mame Diouf.
Sure enough, it was down to the troublesome knee injury which has been a persistent problem for Berbatov in the past few months and it might be time for drastic action.
'Dimitar wanted to play with it but we felt we should try to get it sorted and get him fit again,' Ferguson said.
'He may have to have an exploratory operation.'
Which would mean several weeks on the sidelines. If the surgery is to go ahead then it should happen now, so that Berbatov does have a fighting chance of being fit for our Champions League double-header against AC Milan. But it's definitely another blow in a season ravaged by injuries anyway.
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Your Comments
One positive thing to it though: hopefully we will see more of Diouf. We seem to have a striker with real pace at last, something we've lacked since Saha.
Zae
Haven't heard too many reds bemoaning his loss.
fifthcolumnblue
Places even more pressure on Rooney so regardless of Berbatov's form, this is bad news.
Zae
Why is fergie so reluctant to give Owen game time? Surely an Owen/Rooney partnership would work reasonably well?
fifthcolumnblue
Why would it? Against Burnley and Hull at home, maybe. But I'd rather see Diouf getting opportunities, he has potential. Owen is useful in certain circumstances: when we dominate, can get plenty of balls into the box and the opposition is known to be shaky in defence (exhibit A: Manchester City home), or when we have plenty of space on the break and he can exploit it (exhibit B: Wolfsburg away). But unfortunately, the examples above are Owen's only two good games this season. The rest can be forgotten.
Zae
Owen is essentially a passenger inv every game he plays. Like Zae says its fine if we are camped around the opponents area as he doesnt have to do anything but finish; but our form hasnt been good enough and we can't accomodate a second passenger when scholes is already playing. I think this is the beginning of the end for berba. He'll just be another good player who faltered under the pressure of OT. Or he'll have to accept his place as our third or fourth choice striker. Or he'll have to find some confidence from somewhere which at the moment, seems to be the least likely thing to happen.
tuscan3000
Normally I'd have been a bit relieved at Berbaflop missing games against us but in light of recent performances I think I'd rather he was available. So, will Owen be picked against our 'shaky' defence or will F******* stick with the kids? Actually, I don't care what he does as either way we are going to win. Comfortably.
kennyclementstache
Just finished watching Tevez produce a real match winning performance for City. Berbatov? I'll let you make your own minds up. In fact, get on the blower to Spurs and we'll do you a swap for Crouch, or you should have a look at Heskey. You may laugh, but your two strikers would benefit massively from having either of those two at the club right now rather than the great bulgar.
Jinkin Jimmy Dimmock
And as for Michael Owen, you can't say you weren't warned. Carlo Cudicin's in better shape than him.
Jinkin Jimmy Dimmock
Oh well looks like we shall be seeing 4-5-1 a whole lot more
khoder
Like in August, eh, kenny? Being played off the park back then does not really justify your laughable giddiness.
Zae
Played off the park, Zae? Hmm ... methinks you and I watched an altogether different game
BlueWolfie
Will the fact that berbaplop is lay in a hospital bed significantly alter his pro zone stats regarding workrate and metres covered during the six weeks he,s out?
FERGIE SIGN HIM UP
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