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Berbatov has made United ruthless, former Red
SIR Alex Ferguson has created a new ruthless streak in Manchester United's strike force.
The 30.75m addition of Dimitar Berbatov has shaken up last season's spearhead of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
Though Cristiano Ronaldo had a few cameos as a forward and the injury-riddled Louis Saha had spells, the Anglo-Argentine frontline helped drive the double success.
But Berbatov's arrival has set the cat among the pigeons.
And ex-Reds striker Andy Ritchie believes Fergie has now fashioned a healthy dog-eat-dog situation in the senior hitman department.
"All three of United's strikers are facing a relatively new situation of not being a nailed-on cert for a place in the line-up," Andy said.
"Nobody is ever guaranteed a place at Old Trafford but last season Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez had the front spots pretty much sewn up.
"Wayne has rarely not been in a Fergie XI when he is fit. When Carlos was at West Ham, and no doubt before that at Corinthians, he was pretty much a permanent fixture.
"It was only in the latter days at Spurs because of his situation that Dimitar wasn't first on the teamsheet for Tottenham.
"But all three are going to find now it is a different set of rules at United these days.
"Sir Alex did me up like a kipper - and I suspect a lot of other people as well - when he chose Rooney and Berbatov at Chelsea leaving Tevez on the subs' bench. I thought Carlos would get the vote.
"There was a big debate about who'd initially partner new arrival Berbatov. Tevez had been United's best forward at the start of the season and people were wondering if Rooney might face being demoted. It would have been a rare occurrence but, on form, you'd have thought there was a serious possibility he'd have to face up to that.
"But the manager chose him and Carlos must have been wondering what was going on.
"At the same time, there was a debate going on about Rooney's form which I thought was a bit premature. I don't go along with the theory that his game had hit a plateau after so many seasons on the up.
"But maybe there was a case for saying his progress had slowed down a little. However, he has come back strongly with three goals in the last three matches.
"Possibly this new extra pressure on the front players was exactly what Wayne needed."
Tevez scored at Liverpool on Berbatov's debut but since then the South American hasn't found the net. The Bulgarian went three matches before opening his United account with two goals against Aalborg in the Champions League and Rooney has started one of his goal spurts with hits against Bolton, Aalborg and Blackburn.
"There is a very healthy competition going on no and I think the way the strikers are reacting bodes well for United," Ritchie added.
"I think it will provide a real ruthless streak up front. Whenever I have been in management, I have always said that you could be sitting next to your best mate in the changing room but he is your worst enemy if he is in your position.
"Challenges like that are why people rise to the top. United's three front men will have had to handle that in their younger days when they were fighting for places. That's why they have got to where they are in football because they can handle and respond to that pressure.
"You have to be ruthless to be a footballer and Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez have proved they can be by forging careers that has seen them get to United.
"Pressure brings out the best in the right characters and United's front three certainly seem to respond well.
"It is a fierce competition up front and the combinations are all in their infancy. Nobody is in a position to say I should be first on the teamsheet but that is what all three will be fighting for.
"I think Berbatov's arrival has rekindled a fighting spirit up front.
That's great for United."
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Monday 13 February 2012
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