ManUtd.com: October's top man

Almost 3000 fans recently voted in our Player of the Month poll.

1) Dimitar Berbatov � 50%
2) Antonio Valencia � 37%
3) Anderson � 6%
4) Edwin van der Sar � 5%
5) Jonny Evans � 2%

If you’re still struggling to understand how United left Stamford Bridge on Sunday without even a point, consider this: the Reds were forced to go into the top-of-the-table clash without October’s star performer.

Fans voted Dimitar Berbatov the Reds’ player of the month in a recent poll on ManUtd.com but the Bulgarian striker missed the trip to Chelsea after picking up an injury eight days prior. Would he have made a difference? We’ll never know. But on the evidence we saw in October, you’d have to suggest Sir Alex’s men would have been a mote potent attacking force.

Berbatov, who garnered 50 per cent of almost 3000 votes in the web poll, was instrumental in United’s successes last month, beginning with the home win over Sunderland when he volleyed home acrobatically to draw the Reds level for the first time in the match.

He was again at his mercurial best when Bolton came to Old Trafford. Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his flicks and tricks carved open the Trotters’ defence time and time again. Only a stunning reaction save from Jussi Jaaskelainen denied Dimitar another spectacular goal.

Away in Moscow, Berbatov cut a frustrated figure for long periods of the game but it was his header that set up Antonio Valencia for the Reds’ late winner at the Luzhniki.

We can forget the visit to Anfield � the manager later admitted only Edwin van der Sar and Antonio Valencia came anywhere near to showing what’s expected of a United player on that day � and Berbatov didn’t feature in the Carling Cup win over Barnsley. But he did end the month on a high, scoring yet another memorable volley in United’s 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he took one touch before twisting his body and hammering home into the bottom corner. It was technically terrific and the icing on the cake of what had already been a superb performance.