BIRTLES ON FORLAN

"But I don't think it's really fair to make a comparison between me and Diego
Forlan. I was starting every game and he has mainly been a substitute since
United signed him. Obviously, it was a big move for me at the time. But there's
more pressure on players moving to Old Trafford now than there way in my
day. They are recognised now as one of the biggest clubs in the world and the
expectations are far higher after all they've won under Sir Alex Ferguson.

That first goal and shooting at a scouser!

"But all the time I was struggling to break my duck, the Old Trafford fans were
brilliant to me because they could see that I wasn't hiding or shirking my
responsibilities.

"I just kept plugging away and finally, when it happened, a tremendous roar
went up from the terraces. The other thing I remember was being the butt of
all the jokes that were going around. Things like:

"If it had been Birtles who shot at John Lennon, he would still be alive today!
But you just have to laugh at them and take the mickey out of yourself until it's
someone else's turn.

Diego needs a run

"The thing with Forlan is that he hasn't yet been given a proper chance to
settle into the side. The only fair way to assess him is after he's been given a
run of five or six games in the starting line-up.

"Apart from Liverpool's supersub from the 1970s, David Fairclough, and
United's own Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I can't think of many other players who
have made a big impact coming off the bench."