Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he did not use Dimitar Berbatov correctly last season, but expects the striker to blossom this season.

The Bulgaria international did not live up to expectations in his debut campaign at Old Trafford following a £30million move from Tottenham last September.

Ferguson confesses he made a mistake in the way he deployed Berbatov who scored only 14 goals in 43 appearances, but the Red Devils chief expects improvements.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star has enjoyed an excellent pre-season, impressing against Hangzhou Greentown, and his boss believes there is more to come.

"I expected the form we've seen from Berbatov in pre-season so far," said Ferguson.

"Last season was a strange one for him and maybe we didn't use him in the right way.

"We know exactly how to use him now - further up the pitch, playing as a centre-forward.

"He will improve and I think he will have a terrific season."