Throwback: Dimitar Berbatov sets up Ronaldo goal with outrageous assist
During his first spell at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo registered five goals and an assist in seven games against West Ham.
But it was United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov who dominated the headlines following their 2-0 win over the Hammers in October 2008.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 14th minute, meeting Nani’s cross and firing a first-time effort past Robert Green.
Berbatov then embarrassed James Collins with a stunning piece of skill on the by-line before squaring the ball for Ronaldo to slot in his second.
“If it hadn’t finished with a goal, it would just be another trick. But when you make a goal its extra special, and if the goal is scored by Ronaldo it puts even more weight on the assist,” Berbatov told FourFourTwo in 2018.
“After he scored I tried to look so cool – no emotion, just walking back to the halfway line, like nothing happened, like ‘yeah, this is a usual day for me’ but inside I was like ‘did you all see that?'”
The Bulgarian legend was recently coaching back in his country as an assistant at Etar, while in May he returned to Old Trafford to take part in a Legends of the North charity match.
He believed his old team-mate was worthy of more respect after the criticism he faced during United’s struggles last term.
“I just had the pleasure of playing one year with him, which was a short period, but I saw how he prepared himself when he was at United. And then I followed him up into his career and it’s not surprising to see him play like this,” Berbatov told the official Manchester United website in May.
“I am sure if he continues taking care of himself, like he is doing now, he can play for another three or four years for sure. Yes, time is waiting for no-one and, with time, some of your qualities are getting less but then you need to be smart and adjust your way of playing football.
“You can still be good and Ronaldo is a case of this, 18 goals at 37 years of age, in the best league in the world, come on! You need to show the respect there.”
Berbatov: “My favourite moment with Ronaldo was when I set him up for the easiest goal of his life, against West Ham. I was going to finish it myself, but I was feeling generous that day.” #mufc [Betfair]
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) July 9, 2020
READ NEXT: An ode to Cristiano Ronaldo’s best goal for Man Utd that no one talks about