Evra lauds Berba factor

Berbatov: Top-scorer

Patrice Evra has hailed Manchester United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov as a 'different class' following his recent goal-scoring heroics.

"He is a good guy and is different class."
Patrice Evra on Dimitar Berbatov Quotes of the week

The Bulgarian hitman is currently the Premier League top-scorer having fired in 14 goals so far this season, capped by his Boxing Day brace which sealed a 2-0 victory over Sunderland.

Sitting top of the table, Sir Alex Ferguson's side will head to Birmingham on Tuesday night seeking their fifth consecutive league win.

And French left-back Evra feels Berbatov deserves much of the credit for their current position.

Happy

"I am very happy with Dimitar," Evra told the Daily Star. "He is working hard. He is a good guy and is different class."

Evra feels his training ground banter with the frontman is only strengthening his form, adding: "We argued a bit in training when he was missing a goal, but he said, 'Don't worry, I will score in the game' - and he showed me that.

"I am kidding when I say argue with him, but I keep moaning at him when he doesn't score and he moans at me when I miss a cross, or something like that.

"It is a joke between me and him."

United are likely to face a fresh Birmingham side after the Blues' Boxing Day clash at Everton was postponed.

But Evra is more concerned by the weather ahead of the encounter, recalling last January's icy 1-1 draw at St Andrews.

He said: "I remember at Birmingham last year, it was the coldest I have felt in a football match in my life.

"I have played in Moscow, but I have never felt that cold. In the warm-up it was difficult to breathe. The pitch was hard. It was a nightmare."

Committed

Midfielder Anderson has impressed for United this season, and committed to the club by penning a new five-year deal before Christmas.

And Evra has challenged his Brazilian colleague to keep improving, adding: "Ando is doing great. I am not surprised by him. I have always believed in him.

"The club has shown confidence in him by signing him for another five years and he needs to show, on the pitch now, he deserves it."