Fergie backs Berba to hit his best form

Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted Manchester United are about to see the best of record signing Dimitar Berbatov.

With Wayne Rooney sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury picked up against Wigan on Wednesday night and Carlos Tevez doubtful for tomorrow's trip to Bolton after limping through most of the game, there could be no better time for the £30.75million signing (below) to show his class.

"I have a feeling we are about to see the best of Berbatov," said the United manager. "When you pay a lot of money for a player he inevitably comes under close scrutiny. It happened to Juan Sebastian Veron and Rio Ferdinand, and Dimitar has also suffered from the impatience of people when a guy makes a move.

"At Tottenham, he orchestrated most of their play and if, at times, he has looked a bit isolated, it was because our players needed to adjust to him just as much as he has needed to learn our ways."

A win over Bolton will take United to the top of the League for the first time this season, at least until Liverpool play on Monday.

But Ferguson will be without Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Wes Brown and possibly Jonny Evans through injury.