Premier League - Berbatov to miss Villa clash

Eurosport - Fri, 21 Nov 12:53:00 2008

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov will miss Saturday's Premier League match at Aston Villa with a hamstring injury.

Dimitar Berbatov - 0

The Bulgaria captain sustained the injury while on international duty in midweek and will also miss Tuesday's Champions League game at Villarreal.

And defender Wes Brown faces four or five weeks out of action after undergoing an exploratory operation on an ankle injury.

Berbatov was substituted after 30 minutes with cramp during Bulgaria's 6-1 defeat by neighbours Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday.

"It's not a tear. It's a slight strain but with hamstrings you don't take any chances. There's no point in making it worse," United boss Alex Ferguson said.

"He will certainly be out for tomorrow and he will be out for Tuesday but there's a slight chance he may be available for the City game."

United play derby rivals Manchester City on Sunday week but first face a testing fixture against a Villa side which Ferguson believes are capable of breaking the top-four stranglehold held by United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney, who missed England's 2-1 friendly win over Germany on Wednesday after suffering a chest infection, is likely to be fit to offset the loss of Berbatov for the trip to Villa Park.

Rio Ferdinand may miss the game as he struggles to shake off a back injury which kept him out of the Berlin international.

United have won 11 times in 12 visits to Villa Park and Ferguson is keen to build on last Saturday's 5-0 win over Stoke City which lifted them to third in the table.

"We recognise Aston Villa as an improving side and I think (manager) Martin O'Neill has done a fantastic job so we expect a really difficult challenge," said Ferguson.

"We got five goals last week and goal difference could be an issue this year, you never know. This is why we have to push on and start taking our chances regularly because the football we are playing deserves more than we are getting at the moment."

Reuters

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  1. could be a tricky situ being up against an inform Villa, but man U have plenty depth, i would still expect them to win. Tevez Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson are all class and all have goals in them. Nani and Anderson just need more regular play and they would be up there with with the goals. Even if i do hate Nani with a passion. Ugly and as cocky as ronldo in the early days. He needs a hate campaign against him to find his place and settle down to just being class.

    From Tom, on Fri 21 Nov 8:20AM

  2. we hae tevezzz more than berbatov

    From me, on Fri 21 Nov 7:46AM

  3. Man U....Watch out, villa looking ruthless. Berbatov, Rooney & Rio?! (gonna miss them)

    From leonellis1, on Fri 21 Nov 7:34AM

  4. Tevez must score!! Cumon Tevez

    From husainhassim, on Fri 21 Nov 7:18AM

  5. i tell you what man,u will win this match.
    from TEVEZ 2.

    From Ruben, on Fri 21 Nov 7:18AM

  6. i tell you what man,u will win this match.
    from TEVEZ 2.

    From Ruben, on Fri 21 Nov 7:11AM

  7. monkeysterunited - your a @#$% @#$% as berbatov will come bck to team soon

    From Paul T, on Fri 21 Nov 3:18AM

  8. Berbetov is scum

    From monkeysterunited, on Fri 21 Nov 2:50AM

  9. SOZ A BIN OUT ON THA LASH......HIC.

    From THEBIGONE, on Fri 21 Nov 2:14AM

  10. SEXYMODEEERE ( 20 ) DO YOU DO DOGGY ??!!!!

    From THEBIGONE, on Fri 21 Nov 2:08AM

  11. let us pray together.....hope Villa beat MU...:D

    From c41ng0ku, on Fri 21 Nov 1:07AM

  12. damn ja robo, those names were really insulting to those united players! nice job...

    From Christian, on Fri 21 Nov 12:17AM

  13. FK MAN U WISH THE LOOSE ALL THERE PLAYERS!!!LIVERPOOL 4 LIFE U'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

    From cleo, on Thu 20 Nov 11:38PM

  14. i think our next match we'll be interesting playing with aston villa

    But we need Rio ferdinand

    because he'z da most important player.

    From biniamdinho_10, on Thu 20 Nov 11:25PM

  15. Great pity Berbatov's out of the Man U side for the Villa Game. I'm no Red's fan but watching football's pointless if the game's dull or one-sided. Berbatov's one of the most exciting players in the premiership, with still a lot to prove. The other striker's Man U can do without, especially that Rooney guy.

    From mongolfcfan, on Thu 20 Nov 11:18PM

  16. Manu has alot of outstanding players. They can make it in the absence of Rooney, Ferdinand, Berbatov and even more. Hey, go on.

    From Aschu

    From aschalew a, on Thu 20 Nov 11:11PM

  17. still have tevez as ferguson can switch to 4-5-1 formation.

    From kathy, on Thu 20 Nov 10:57PM

  18. no berkatoff, wayne looney or fergaland. villa go third on saturday then

    From ja_robo, on Thu 20 Nov 10:50PM

  19. norl b,too right.

    From Philip, on Thu 20 Nov 10:24PM

  20. ray a shut your twating mouth

    From cookzara@..., on Thu 20 Nov 10:04PM
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