Dimitar Berbatov joined United in 2008, but has picked-up many critics along the way since arriving at the club. He was never an instant hit, and it looked like it was getting worse and worse for the 29-year-old Bulgarian last season. This term, Berba’s a different animal, Thomas Rooney explains… 

  Report By: Thomas Rooney, 11:55pm

It has taken him two seasons, but it seems as though Dimitar Berbatov is finally starting to prove why Manchester United paid £30.75 Million pounds for his services. Berbatov – who always looked like creating chances at Tottenham Hotspur, hasn’t looked like the same player in a Man United Shirt; but this season he has been in blistering form and looks like he could fire United towards the title.

His goal at Birmingham City on Tuesday night was his 14th league goal of the season in just 15 appearances – only 1 goal behind his best season in England. In his 14 goals he has helped himself to a hat-trick and also equalled a Premier League record by scoring 5 goals in United’s 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

With Sir Alex Ferguson setting him a goal target of 25 just a day before, Berbatov took a step towards this goal by thumping in a shot at the near post against Birmingham after exchanging passes with Darren Gibson to give United the lead.

Since joining United from Tottenham he has had his fair share of critics from both media and fans alike. So much so that it was rumoured that Berbatov was contemplating a move away from Old Trafford during the summer; speculation that was swiftly denied by Sir Alex.

It was deemed as though Berbatov wasn’t making enough of a contribution to the United team; with only 21 league goals and a handful of assists since joining the club. Unfortunately for Berbatov his general persona doesn’t help either, as he appears a very lazy player; wandering aimlessly round the pitch and not closing down and harassing opponents.

But this season he looks like a player who is hungry for goals and hungry for glory. Currently the Premier Leagues leading goal scorer; Berbatov is showing that his style of play can work and that you don’t need to constantly chase the ball down and run round the pitch like a headless chicken.

He has become more of a fans favourite too, with plenty of Man United Shirts sold with the striker’s name on the back. This wasn’t happening before.

Berbatov has a great talent for finding himself space on the pitch and in between defenders that not many other strikers possess; all he needs is that little bit of room to engineer a chance for himself. He is also terrific at bringing teammates into the game. So often Berbatov picks out passes that a lot of other players wouldn’t even contemplate and not only does he makes these passes, he makes them seem effortless; along with the rest of his game.

With United sitting at the top of the league and Berbatov in the best form of his Manchester United career, it’s difficult to see past them winning the Premier League title this season. And as for Berbatov reaching his 25 goal target… on this form he will do it at a canter and I wouldn’t bet against him notching 30 come May.  

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