Lights Out For Dimi?

And so is that all she wrote for Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United career? He had the chance to keep United's league and European campaign on track in the absence of star man Wayne Rooney - it was an opportunity to show those fans who continue to question him that he has what it takes to be a difference maker. He failed to deliver.

Ferguson, as he would, talked him up big time in the build up to the Chelsea game. Sir Alex has little choice in the matter - it was he who paid £30.75 million for him after all. He played relatively okay in the match but so obviously failed to provide the goal threat required of a player operating as a lone striker.

And then Ferguson showed his hand in relation to Berbatov for the Bayern Munich game - preferring to gamble on a half fit Rooney, rushing him back into the starting line up at the Bulgarians expense. Hardly a resounding endorsement of Dimi's ability and clearly demonstarting that Ferguson does in fact have a lack of faith in him, despite his claims to the contrary. While that must have shattered his confidence enough, when Rooney eventually succumbed and had to be withdrawn, the Bulgarian was left on the bench, with Nani moving into the forward role.

The following weekend Berbatov was reinstated against Blackburn - though this time with Macheda to lend a hand up front. Macheda was poor but so was Berbatov, squandering one of the few chances United created on the day in the final minutes.

There is no doubting Berbatov's ability and hearing United fans boo him at Blackburn was unsavoury to say the least. However, the truth of the matter is that he doesn't always suit United's style of play. United tend to be at their best playing quick incisive football with a high tempo. Berbatov can sometimes apply himself well as a supplier of chances within this framework and usually with a striker supporting him, but just as often he slows play up when the reverse is not only required, but is also what works best for United.

It would be wrong in the extreme to blame United's faltering end to the season exclusively on Berbatov (it is clear that many problems exist in the heart of midfield) but there is no doubting he hasn't delivered as often as United fans would have hoped when he signed.