Berbatov silences doubters

DIMITAR BERBATOV continued in his role as the big success story of the new Manchester United season although his defensive colleagues are still showing a penchant for self-destruction which could yet unhinge the club’s title bid.

After throwing away leads against Fulham and Everton already this season, it appeared United were to repeat their lackadaisical play, handing two set-piece goals to Steven Gerrard after Berbatov had handed them a 2-0 lead inside an hour.

Yet Berbatov completed a hat-trick that rescued United from what was threatening to be another defensive catastrophe. With six minutes to play, Paul Scholes found John O’Shea on the right and his perfect cross saw Berbatov outjump Jamie Carragher and head into the Liverpool goal.