Former England manager Bobby Robson has suggested that Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has so far failed to live up to his massive transfer fee.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday he said, “I do think Berbatov has to start justifying his £31 million price tag if United are to get back on top and win a third successive title.”

The former Spurs man failed to get on the scoresheet in United’s 1-2 defeat to Arsenal yesterday and Robson claimed he had never looked like scoring in the match.

“Berbatov played too deep at Emirates Stadium and therefore wasn't a goal threat at all,” said the former Newcastle boss, “He never looked like scoring and his record of one league goal in nine games for United suggests that has been a problem since he arrived from Spurs.”

Robson also claimed that Arsenal must have been delighted to have seen Berbatov playing in such a deep role in yesterday’s game.

“I watched Berbatov drop back virtually to the halfway line at times yesterday, content to get a few touches of the ball and play some simple passes,” he remarked. “I bet Arsenal were delighted to see him so deep because he wasn't going to hurt them from there.”

“He doesn't look like the same player to me that thrilled us at Tottenham,” said the 75-year-old.