Manchester United

Berbatov To Miss Villa Trip

After picking up an injury whilst playing for Bulgaria against Serbia this week, Dimitar Berbatov will not play for Manchester United at the weekend.

Nov 20, 2008 6:36:36 PM

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Dimitar Berbatov in Manchester (PA)

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Sir Alex Ferguson will not be pleased. Already annoyed enough, like almost every other Premier League manager, with the scheduling of international friendlies for this week, Ferguson will now lose the services of his star centre-forward for the weekend's tricky tie with Aston Villa.

Dimitar Berbatov picked up a thigh injury during Bulgaria's 6-1 defeat by Serbia, being substituted after just half-an-hour of the game in Belgrade. It was feared that he might be out of action for some time, and the player's agent confirmed this today.

Emil Danchev told Bulgarian Darik Radio: "According to Manchester United's medical staff, Berbatov will be recovering between seven and 10 days."

Wayne Rooney was also set to miss the trip to Villa Park with illness, and Ferguson's attacking options are beginning to look a little curtailed.

This will not please the manager, who has a famously difficult relationship with international managers anyway, especially as Aston Villa conquered Arsenal last week and are beginning to look like serious contenders for a top- four finish.

Berbatov's injury also puts him in doubt for next week's Champions League game at Villarreal, as well as the Manchester derby with City a week on Sunday.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com