LONDON– Sir Alex Ferguson believes Dimitar Berbatov has silenced his critics after becoming the first Manchester United player in 64 years to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in Sunday's 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
Berbatov delighted the home crowd with a performance reminiscent of Eric Cantona and his stunning treble included a sublime overhead kick.
Ferguson said: "The second goal was unexpected. It was a surprise attempt and not many of those overhead kicks go in, but fortunately it did today.
"There was a lot of criticism for Dimitar last season and that happened when we buy a player for a lot of money and he is not scoring a hat-trick every game.
"That is the way of the world for people that come here. But, this season he has started off in the right fashion, his pre-season training was good and his pre-season performances were good.
"There has never been any doubt about the quality of the man and we saw that today."
Berbatov gave United the lead three minutes before half time with a bullet header from Ryan Giggs' corner.
Nani had already seen his right foot pile driver rebound off the angle of post and crossbar when Berbatov appeared to have put the game beyond Liverpool's reach 14 minutes after the interval.
Berbatov controlled Nani's cross on the chest before firing home off the underside of the crossbar with a sensational scissor kick.
United conceded twice in stoppage time to draw 3-3 at Everton last week and Ferguson watched in horror as his side again threw away a two-goal lead.
Steven Gerard reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after Jonny Evans had tripped Fernando Torres.
Gerard drew Liverpool level with a 20-yard free kick after Torres was again bundled over by O'Shea, who was lucky to escape with only a yellow card.
Berbatov had the final say, climbing brilliantly to plant another unstoppable header beyond Pepe Reina's from O'Shea's centre.
Ferguson felt his side deserved the win, saying: "It is a great result but a travesty of a scoreline.
"From a game we were absolutely dominating to end up 2-2 was a travesty. I was saying to myself 'this is going to be ten'.
"Liverpool did not offer anything and had to depend on decisions from the linesman to get themselves back in the game."
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said his side were devastated not to return to Anfield with at least a point after their fight back.
Hodgson also admitted striker Torres is still struggling to recapture his top form after another goalless outing for the Spaniard.
Hodgson said "I thought our second-half performance was good and I thought we deserved to get back in the game so to concede so late on it always tough.
"Fernando (Torres) played a lot better today but he is still a player who needs more game and needs more training.
"We will get a lot of use out him over the course of the year but he is still not firing on all cylinders."
