Berbatov did well for United, Jol insists

Fulham boss Martin Jol insists Dimitar Berbatov was good enough for Manchester United and remains one of the country’s top strikers.

Despite being the Premier League’s joint top goalscorer in the 2010-11 season, the Bulgarian fell out of favour and became a bit-part player in his final year at Old Trafford.

Jol, who brought Berbatov to England with Tottenham in 2006, pulled off what he described as Fulham’s biggest ever signing when he captured him on deadline day.

And Berbatov notched two goals in his first start for the club against West Brom on Saturday.

“He did enough for Man United – Dimitar was top scorer even when he wasn’t really playing,” Jol said.

“It was nothing to do with his quality or motivation. Whenever he played he was one of the top scorers in England. Even when he was not playing regularly he was scoring goals.

“He scored goals for me at Tottenham and at United and luckily he did the same for us [against West Brom] because we were a bit worried before the game.

“It was important because we lost our best players [Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey], we had to do something, create a new identity.”

Jol added: “It is a challenge for him but he was always scoring goals so if he is fit then hopefully he will do what Clint Dempsey did for us.

“He was at the back, in midfield, he was up front, he scored a great goal so I was incredibly proud of his performance.”

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