I saved us from the hairdryer

Posted Monday, September 20, 2010 by The Sun

Fergie believes the faith he has shown in his 0.75million buy is starting to bear fruit.

He added: "There was a lot of criticism of him last season but it happens when players sign for United for a lot of money and they aren't scoring hat-tricks in every game.

"That's the way of the world with some players who come here. But this season he has started in the right fashion.

"His training has been good, he was good on the pre-season tour and he has carried it on.

"There has never been any doubt about his quality and we have seen it again today.

"Lots of questions were asked about him last season and he was made something of a whipping boy, to the point where he must have wondered whether he had a future at Old Trafford.

"I concede that at times he seemed to struggle but, if you are satisfied about a player's credentials, you must persevere and trust your judgment, "You must have faith and I think we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a touch of genius about him.

"We paid a lot of money for him but a lot of the criticism last season was unfair and we should have understood that.

"Certainly, this is a big season for him, one that could determine the rest of his career.

"But he has accepted the challenge and responded in a way that has made him one of our major successes so far.

"And I think there's plenty more to come from the re-energised Dimitar this season."

Kop boss Roy Hodgson was left frustrated after his side's stirring fight-back thanks to a second-half double from Steven Gerrard.

Hodgson said: "It was a really good effort to get back in the game and with a little bit more composure towards the end we could have seen the game out."

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