Many have called for his head so many times in past seasons and i defended him as i'm a huge fan of him but this season (for the most part) he proved his worth for me defending the silky classy Bulagarian.September 1st 2008 on deadline day Dimitar Berbatov signed for Manchester United for a huge fee of £30.75 million (you'd expect it from Spurs selling) and with 3 years of question marks and hit and miss rumours are coming more and more than ever this season that his time is up at Old Trafford. PSG are apparently keen to offer £20 million for the Bulgarian superstar and with Berbatov 31 and in the final year of his contract it seems like that offer is too good business to turn down but is it that simple. Is it a wise decision or a huge unnecessary risk?
For the most part of last season Berbatov's goals carried United towards the 19th title. Crucial goals vs Liverpool, Bolton and Blackpool bailed United out and one would wonder where we would be without them. Nani and Berbatov were the two stand out performers of the 1st half of the season no doubt while Hernandez Rooney and co. stepped up to the plate to pick up the pieces in the latter stages of the season. Nani and Berbatov eventually were both pushed out of the side in favour of Mexican hitman Javier Hernandez and the comeback of Antonio Valencia from a horrible injury but the contributions of both should be greatly admired. Berbatov managed 21 goals last season while Nani notched up the most assists and to get rid of either one of them would be a huge mistake.
Berbatov has taken games on his own while operated as a lone striker is a waste of his time and talent he was taken to it when neccsarry. Lest we not forget even Rooney cannot operative to his full potential in this role while Berbatov's ideal role is playing off the striker Rooney plays the same role and we hear the onslaught saying the two cannot play together... Yet Berbatov has taken up typical center forward positions to score goals such as the goals vs Sunderland and Birmingham at home. He went through a dry spell of games where his confidence was in tatters and he seemed a shadow of what he was showing at the start of the season and it all seemed like it was back to typical old Berba throwing away all his good work but alas he became reborn against Blackburn in November.
Yes he scored 5 goals in the game against a hapless Paul Robinson but it was the confidence the composure and the silkyness of his play that was evident that Berba was back. My favorite of the 5 started in his own half exchanging a beautiful flick to Patrice Evra and receiving it back before thumping the ball out to the wide right to Nani with the outside of his boot to then receive it back on the edge of the box and smashing it into the top corner. It was an absolutely beautiful piece of football from a Bulgarian genius. As Rooney struggled all season with personal problems affecting his impact on the pitch Berbatov time and time again stepped forward scoring goals which he is not accustomed to seeing as he is not know for being a 20 goal a season striker yet he did step forward to adapt to this new role he had to take.
He has engineered a sort of predator instinct into his game getting into far new adventerous positions in the box to convert chances which at times United lacked when Javier Hernandez was not playing. His biggest goal came of the season i feel against Bolton at Old Trafford while it was a cagey scrappy affair which looked like it was going to be 'one of those days' but up step Berba again from the bench again to grab a late winner to give Sir Alex something to think about.
While the statistics will show Berbatov has failed to score in the Champions League since 2008 and not scored enough (most notably against the big 4) more question marks are being asked about the Bulgarians future.
I have huge respect for Dimitar Berbatov as he is a man of class a man of honor and integrity who respects our club massively and wouldn't dare disrespect Sir Alex Ferguson or Manchester United in any way in light of many stars today who do disrespect their clubs. Particulary i admire how he handled the form of Hernandez who eventually took his place on the pitch. He has supported him and encouraged him en route to our success acknowledging it is a team game and every man plays his part when some players would detest who takes their spot such as how Van Nistelrooy responded when being left out against Charlton in 2006. I for one would like to see Berbatov being kept at Old Trafford but after being left out against Barcelona and Michael Owen being told he will have a huge part to play next season aswell as Danny Welbeck returning one must worry if your a Berba fan.
He still has a huge part to play in our success next season i feel. If you think United could of won the league without him your sadly mistaken. Rest assure if he does leave he will going with the hugest respect from me despite all the haters who have doubted him ever since he arrived. He scored 3 hat tricks last season the last United striker to do that ? Ruud Van Nistelrooy. I will always remember Berba for having a peach of a first touch, beautiful flicks and superb footballing technique and if he does go all i can say is All the best Dimitar thanks for the memories and i wish you the utmost success in your future endeavors but i'm still pining for you to stay....
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