Dimitar Berbatov's money is no longer good in the pubs and restaurants of Manchester. Well, the Red-aligned parts of town at least.

The Bulgarian's hat-trick to sink arch-enemy Liverpool 3-2 overnight has won him legend status at Old Trafford, and beyond.

For three seasons the striker has tested United fans. 

Sure, they wanted to embrace the £30 million signing from Spurs. And there were moments, albeit fleeting, when he looked good value for the outlay.

But too often he has seemed an extravagance. A player of sublime skill who failed to deliver on the big occasion.

 A certain frailty in the heat of battle was detected.

No longer. In 90 minutes on a dreary Lancashire afternoon, Berbatov yesterday shed his reputation as a gifted waster.

First Arsenal, and now Chelsea have usurped Liverpool as United's main challenger for domestic and European honours.

But for many United fans, seasons are still defined by results against the hated Scousers.

The holy trinity of Best, Law and Charlton are held most dear in most United fans' hearts. In the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Ruud Van Nistelroy, despite his abrupt exit after falling foul of the Scotsman, is feted for his phenomenal strike rate in Europe, while Giggs and Scholes, Fergie's remaining fledglings along with Gary Neville, retain a special place in the Manchester United pantheon.

But none has matched this feat of the former CSKA Sofia player who reportedly modelled his game on Alan Shearer and dreamed as a youngster of playing for Newcastle.

His first treble for the club was the first by any United player in the Liverpool fixture for 64 years.

The second goal, an audacious overhead kick, bookended by two top-notch headers, prompted his manager to say: "There was a lot of criticism of Dimitar in the media last season. It happens when we buy a player for a lot of money and they don't score a hat-trick in every game. But there's never been any doubt here about the quality of the man, never any doubt. We've seen his quality again today."

Still, the plaudits for Berbatov papered over yet another shaky defensive display by United, who had surrendered leads to Fulham and Everton in their previous matches to be left with a share of the points.

Seemingly home and hosed at 2-0, the home side gave away a needless penalty and failed to defend a free kick to allow Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to draw his team level.

After they have celebrated Sunday's momentous win, Berbatov, Fergie and the rest of the Old Trafford faithful would do well to remember that solid defensive walls rather than bicycle kicks are the more likely route to Premier League honours.