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Fergie guarantees Berbatov future

Dimitar Berbatov has found himself used as a substitute this season © PA Photos

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Dimitar Berbatov will get games this season despite being overlooked for Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Benfica in the Champions League.

Ferguson made eight changes to his side for the trip to Benfica, with Sunday's Premier League meeting with title rivals Chelsea in mind, but there was no place for Bulgarian striker Berbatov.

Berbatov, 30, was joint-top goalscorer in England's top flight last season, but he has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford in light of Wayne Rooney's form and the progress of Javier Hernandez.

Ferguson said: "It is hard because of the number of strikers we have, Michael Owen is there, Federico Macheda, Mame Biram Diouf. Danny Welbeck won't be back next week but probably the week after. It is not easy.

"Dimitar has been training terrific. His attitude is spot on. He will get his game time as the season wears on. There is no question about that."

Ferguson also reiterated that David De Gea will return to the United starting XI against Chelsea, in spite of goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard impressing against Benfica.

"We have two great goalkeepers," Ferguson said. "We were always going to share it and David will play on Sunday against Chelsea and possibly Anders will play at Leeds next Tuesday, depending upon how we see the situation with Ben Amos, who needs some game time also.

"There are opportunities to spread the load. The English league is so frenetic. Coming into that, as a young goalkeeper, there will be times when we can give him (De Gea) a break. Tonight was a good moment because he had a fantastic game on Saturday."

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