Manchester United manger Sir Alex Ferguson says Dimitar Berbatov responded to pep talk

Two years after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for United in a £30.75 million club-record transfer, Berbatov has finally started to justify his price tag this season, scoring seven goals in all competitions. The Bulgarian had struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, with Ferguson overlooking him for the majority of United's pivotal fixtures last term. But the United manager believes that Berbatov has now come to terms with the demands of playing for the club.

Ferguson said: "I just had a word with him at the start of the campaign. I told him: 'Look, only you can solve this conundrum. You're the one in control here. You've got fantastic ability and you need to realise that ability and make the most of it. We'll be here to support you.'"He has started the season in terrific form for us. Dimitar has been, without doubt, our star forward.

"When you bring a player to Manchester United, not everybody takes to the situation straight away. Not all signings become hits overnight. "Nobody's ever doubted the ability of the lad, but what we're seeing now is a striker who's playing with belief and confidence."All strikers are massively reliant on those two factors and, at the moment, Berbatov has both." Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been given a one-match touchline ban and £9,500 for his language and behaviour towards match officials after his team's game against Blackburn Rovers on Sept 25.