Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is backing Dimitar Berbatov to come good for Manchester United.

After their 1-1 draw on Saturday, big Eck admits that other clubs are now challenging but also believes his former mentor Sir Alex Ferguson will be smarting from recent results - and that makes the Manchester United boss a dangerous animal.

McLeish said: "I think it's too early to judge United. I'm sure Dimitar Berbatov will come back all guns blazing.

"Alex Ferguson will manage him in the right way and get the best out of him because I know he's good at that.

"The boss has got massive experience and he'll have the right words for the players that are in the Manchester United dressing room and he'll get the best out of them.

"United have still got plenty in the locker for the rest of the season. But I do think that there is an advance from a lot of other clubs.

"I think the top four will be threatened by others - but not by us. We can have a say because we have taken a point from both United and Chelsea, and Arsenal have still to come here."