The Changing Face Of United's Support

Last updated : 24 April 2009 By editor

Oliver Kay in Times

'Berbatov's name was booed as the teams were read out before the match on Wednesday evening. This is not an entirely new phenomenon at United — Rio Ferdinand was jeered over a period of months spanning his contract dispute in 2005 — and the number of dissenters was small, but it was still mildly shocking. For all the myths of corporate toffs dining on prawn sandwiches, they are not a fickle crowd.

'For even a small number — hundreds rather than thousands — to have turned on Berbatov, the club's £30.75 million record signing, was disconcerting and, no matter that he has fallen some way short of expectations this season, rather unfair.'

Meanwhile Michael Carrick has backed Berbatov to prove himself, "He's a vital player for us and I think he'll show that in these important games we've got coming up. There's no doubt he'll come good and he's only going to get better the longer he stays at United. The fans will see what a top-drawer player he is."

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