Since the league was formed, only three players (Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe) had scored five goals in one game. Berbatov now joins makes that list four players are his haul of five goals today.
It took only two minutes for United to take the lead, Rovers failed to clear the ball, it was crossed in by Luis Nani, flicked on by Wayne Rooney and Berbatov was there to put the ball past Paul Robinson.
Man United were looking very comfortable on the ball, some brilliant passing but there as the occasional dangerous moment from Blackburn.
23 minutes in United had their second and another assist for Rooney. A one-two with Ji-Sung Park ended with the South Korean chipping the ball over Robinson.
Five minutes later it was game over, after Berbatov scored his second. Berbatov picked up Pascal Chimbonda’s backpass, he was in on goal and calmly finished from 12-yards out.
Berbatov’s hattrick came just moments into the second half after some great play by United. Berbatov found Nani, who ran into the penalty area and dragged the ball back for Berbatov who scored his hattrick.
United had their fifth of the game with only 48 minutes on the clock. Anderson’s pass found Nani, who easily beat Chimbonda and unleashed his strike, which curled into the corner.
Just after the hour, Rafael da Silva’s ran into the area, passed to Park but Christopher Samba blocked his attempt but the ball rebounded to Berbatov, who smashed it in.
Man United’s final goal came with just over 20 minutes remaining. Anderson had been great throughout, his ball found Berbatov, his first effort was blocked by Ryan Nelsen but he was able to hit the ball past Robinson from a tight angle.
The only disappointing aspect to the game was the Blackburn goal, which came in the 83rd minute when Samba headed in from six-yards out.
Man United are now top of the table, replacing Arsenal who beat Aston Villa 4-2 earlier on in the day. Chelsea had been beating United on goal difference but both teams are now on +19.
