Sir Alex Ferguson insists Dimitar Berbatov will get an opportunity to prove his worth to Man Utd as the season wears on.
United boss acknowledges he is blessed in the striker department
Sir Alex Ferguson insists Dimitar Berbatov will get an opportunity to prove his worth to Manchester United as the season wears on.
Berbatov was the joint top scorer in the Premier League last term, but his only involvement so far this season was as a substitute against West Bromwich Albion on the opening weekend.
The Bulgarian has subsequently been left kicking his heels on the bench and was again a frustrated figure during United's 1-1 draw with Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Danny Welbeck had started the campaign alongside Wayne Rooney and an injury to the England forward has enabled the fit-again Javier Hernandez to reclaim his place in attack.
However, Ferguson has reassured Berbatov, and his other overlooked strikers, that they will be afforded a chance to impress this season.
Not easy
"It is hard because of the number of strikers we have," said Ferguson.
"Michael Owen is there, Federico Macheda, Mame Biram Diouf. Danny Welbeck won't be back next week but probably the week after. It is not easy.
"Dimitar has been training terrific. His attitude is spot on. He will get his game time as the season wears on. There is no question about that."
Ferguson also reiterated his stance that it was always his intention to start Anders Lindegaard in goal against Benfica rather than summer signing David de Gea.
"We have two great goalkeepers," he added.
"We were always going to share it and David will play on Sunday against Chelsea and possibly Anders will play at Leeds next Tuesday, depending upon how we see the situation with Ben Amos, who needs some game time also.
"There are opportunities to spread the load. The English league is so frenetic. Coming into that, as a young goalkeeper, there will be times when we can give him (De Gea) a break.
"Tonight was a good moment because he had a fantastic game on Saturday."
