Dimitar Berbatov hasn’t exactly set the world alight since his £30 million move to Manchester United.

But when you have just been labelled a “poisonous presence” by an ex-England manager, tonight’s Champions League clash in Denmark with Aalborg might be a good time to start.

Berbatov was billed as the “new Eric Cantona” when he joined United from Tottenham last month, but he has been more Ralph Milne than the audacious Frenchman. A passenger rather than the driving force.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains confident, however, that the Bulgarian will come good.

He should have plenty of motivation against Bruce Rioch’s side after being blasted by Terry Venables, who point blank has blamed Berbatov for Tottenham’s dreadful start to the season, which has left them bottom of the Premier League table.

Venables told The Sun: "Berbatov kept telling us he had 'a dream'. Well, good for you Dimi. You had a dream with a few extra noughts added to your bank balance.

"But did Spurs have a dream too? You got your way but your poisonous presence at the start of the season, the brooding and the reluctance to play, has cost the club that believed in you."

No doubt Fergie will be as interested in those comments as Berbatov, who should feature tonight with the United manager promising to field his strongest side. Mind you, many United fans would tell that would not include Berbatov, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney leading a three-pronged attack.

Incidentally Rioch says an Aalborg win would be like an earthquake. Don’t expect the earth to move tonight.