Report By: Justin Allen & Frank Onyebu, 3:45pm The future of Dimitar Berbatov has been subject to intense speculation recently but there are still plenty of reasons to prevent Sir Alex Ferguson from showing him the exit door just yet… The Bulgarian insists that his future remains at Old Trafford but fans’ opinions have been split ever since his £30.75 Million arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. Long had Sir Alex looked for a player in the mould of Eric Cantona, who could turn a game in United’s favour with one flick of inspiration or one piece of genius. Berbatov met this criteria, and he relied on his natural skill and proven goal scoring record to win over the fans and compensate for his elegant and somewhat laid back approach. Berbatov made a fantastic start to the 2010/2011 season, scoring 17 goals in his first 19 games. However, Wayne Rooney’s resurgence in form and the sensational entrance of Javier Hernandez meant that Sir Alex had almost no choice but to drop Berbatov to the bench and let Chicharito and Rooney begin what will surely be one of the most formidable attacking duos ever witnessed at Old Trafford. The supporters immediately warmed to Hernandez’ relentless work rate, which so contrasted Berbatov’s, as well as a hugely impressive goal return from the little Mexican, and a seemingly telepathic understanding with Rooney. Berba Finishes Top Goalscorer However, the fact remains that Berbatov finished joined top scorer in the Premier League alongside Carlos Tevez on 20 goals and not many teams can afford the luxury of having the League’s top scorer at their disposal on the bench. Hernandez and Rooney will continue to thrive together as Sir Alex’s first choice striking force but defences will work them out, and Berbatov is the perfect man to come on late in a match and deliver a piece of mastery that may well prove the difference between 1 point and 3 points come 90 minutes. He may have to accept that his number of minutes on the pitch will diminish but he is as effective back up option in the Premier League, if not in Europe. He also offers the option of playing up front, with his ability to control the ball faultlessly with his first touch and hold it up until support arrives. Or, alternatively, he can play up front with Hernandez with Rooney out wide when United need all three strikers on the park. Clearly there are still plenty of ways in which Sir Alex can utilise his record signing. There is also the financial side of the situation which suggests that Ferguson should keep Berbatov. Of course, there is no way that United can recoup the sort of money paid to Tottenham for his services in the first place. Any bid in the region of £15 Million will surely capture the attention of United’s management but Berbatov, 30, still has plenty of years left in him, which is helped by the fact that he does not rely on speed but rather pure skill and talent, which will never disappear from his game like pace would. A prime example of this is Raul – still performing to the highest standard well into his mid-thirties, and Berbatov has the ability and desire to emulate this. Berbatov is arguably the most technically gifted and skillful striker in the world. His graceful and elegant style of play stems from his superb technique and skill on the ball. The United forward’s graceful and elegant style of play stems from his superb technique and skill on the ball. The United No. 9 has an exceptionally soft touch, which allows the striker to take down balls in the air and over his head with ease. The Bulgarian is able to stretch out with his right boot and gain instant control. The United striker’s tremendous close control has become a hallmark of his game. Berbatov can dribble and maneuver out of tight and crowded spaces. At times, the Bulgarian makes it look as though the ball is stuck to his right boot. In addition to his delicate touch and outstanding technique, Berbatov has the skill to rival some of the world’s best playmaking midfielders. The Bulgarian’s comfort with the ball at his feet allows him to be composed when in possession. With his ability to produce moments of magic and sublime ingenuity, the United striker is more dangerous on the ball than moving off it. But perhaps most essentially, Berbatov wants to stay at Manchester United. He has reiterated his commitment to the club despite knowing that his number of minutes on the pitch will start to drop and this means that he is willing to sacrifice his own personal glory for the glory of Manchester United, and that is the true sign of a player worthy of wearing the Manchester United jersey Video: Pick Of Dimi’s 22 Goals For United Last Season CommentsTue, 21 Jun 2011 4:07:59 pm Actually I am surprised how many of the goals he scored this year were tap-ins or poor keeping/defending. For me he just isn’t quite good enough to start against the top teams. Would prefer to see Hulk or Benzema at OT. Ben Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:09:09 pm He is absolute class! Not many other players in the world could become top goalscorer in the most competitive league in football without playing the whole season. We were wrong to let Tevez go (as he’s proved at Man City) and we’d be wrong to let Berbatov go know when he’s finally found his form for us. Jack Harrop Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:25:22 pm @ben ALAN Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:28:48 pm Totally agree Dimi’s commitment to the club deserves recognition and he can still be an asset Ben Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:33:44 pm @Jack BeckyLovesBerba Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:35:31 pm If and God forbid that Ferguson lets Berba go, it will cement in my mind a theory that I have been toying with for some time about SAF. And I hope to God he proves me wrong by keeping Berbatov. That theory I will keep to myself. I have learnt the hard way that Utd supporters will accept no bad words about Fergie and quite frankly I can be like that to. But we have to learn to that managers do make mistakes and letting Berba go might prove to be one of these. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:36:11 pm Berbatov is very good player in my opinion.Yes,he may have the pace and urgency of Wayne Rooney or the predatory instincts of Hernandez but as I always say, every player has a use and in his ideal game,his brilliance will show.Berba is no exception.His touch and control makes him the best choice when others need to run off the ball and wreck havoc.I think we should keep him.He brings something different to our team and that only means we have at least option in attack when we are need of it. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:39:40 pm RE to my earlier comment. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:40:31 pm Berbatov is a very good player in my opinion.Yes,he may not have the pace and urgency of Wayne Rooney or the predatory instincts of Hernandez but as I always say, every player has a use and in his ideal game,his brilliance will show.Berba is no exception.His touch and control makes him the best choice when others need to run off the ball and wreck havoc.I think we should keep him.He brings something different to our team and that only means we have at least option in attack when we are need of it. David Hughes Tue, 21 Jun 2011 4:40:34 pm Berb is in the final year of his contract and I think United will cash in before he can go on a bosman. Redmick442 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:22:31 pm keeping berba is a must he is a class act needs a lot of tlc but let’s get the best we can out off him we gave Owen another year so we should give berba another chance lv utd ps has berba not got a one year extension option in his contract? Lv utd hkt Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:35:34 pm I think we hv to be objective here. Berba was never a quick player n will never be. He is arguably the most talented n skillful player in the team n that is exactly the reason why he was brought in. We buy players cos of what he can offer the team n not how we think we can turn him to someone else. Stop comparing him wt rooney or chica or any fellow. To me he his class act n his experience is vital. Diff team formation needs diff player. We may even play all 3 of them in 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 wt chica in front. We must keep berba. Doesn’t make sense to sell ur best players like berba n nani just because we need to buy or accommodate others Hai Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:37:31 pm berba is good, but I don’t think he’s suited for man utd. Man utd is known for counter attack but berba always slows the attack down. Maybe if berba is willing to work harder I think he’ll excel in midfield as he can keep the ball close to him, he’s intelligent and has vision and he can pass quite well too! Just a cheeky suggestion even though it won’t happen. BRIAN Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:44:26 pm KEEP HIM WE NEED HIM THERE IS NOT MANY STRIKERS AROUND NOW ; ONLY IF SANCHEZ WAS COMING ALL SOURCE HAVE SAID DEAL TO BARCA IS OFF AND HE IS UP GRABS AGAIN WELL WAIT AND SEE Brian Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:50:21 pm U r a nobend stop bringing up SANCEZ!! U lick up his hole Josh Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:51:38 pm The Sanchez transfer to Barcelona is 80% done simpson Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:55:44 pm Hearing #mufc agreed a fee with Chris m Tue, 21 Jun 2011 5:56:45 pm Hai i realy agree with u he would make a great midfeilder but hed have to work harder i thnk his vision is great to i remember the blackburn game wen he scored 5 in particular the one he started in def played with evra then fed nani out wide and then came along and finished it off one of the greatest goals iv ever seen realy was world class ther realy is only one berbatov i thnk hed b hapy with his role at united i thnk al he wants is to stay at united and he surely deserves it,anyway cmon united all us fans are neva gna shutup until we get that worldclass midfeilder and playmaker we all know we want and desperatly need is clear to the world to c plz plz plz sighn wes shneijder splash 45 mil on him i beg John James Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:00:19 pm The alexis sanchez transfer is 80% done simpson Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:14:29 pm i won’t be surprise if berbatov stays and play next season in midfield……. Allan skilbeck Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:46:29 pm I think Bernard should stay but what the he’ll we are doing giving Owen another contract is beyond me Marc Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:52:30 pm 80% done to?? Drkatkot Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:52:56 pm @jon jems Drkatkot Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:55:56 pm We should lite brerba to go Mario Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:56:33 pm Have never really took a shine to Berbatov let’s cash in now. Good player can’t take that away from him. John Tue, 21 Jun 2011 6:58:23 pm Barcelona John James Tue, 21 Jun 2011 7:03:09 pm Barcelona I would us to sign kaka BRIAN Tue, 21 Jun 2011 7:29:08 pm IT IS BEING ROUND THAT SANCHEZ TO BARCA DEAL IS OFF BUT DONT HAVE ENOUG FACTS SO WHO KNOWS PD Tue, 21 Jun 2011 8:07:54 pm Some of the chat on here is terrible lads. chris luhg Tue, 21 Jun 2011 8:23:35 pm everything gone quiet on search for a midfielder, any1 got any news?? B Tue, 21 Jun 2011 9:05:40 pm Simpson – your comments are just garbage and waste of reading!! Do you actually have any facts/understanding of football….Berv in midfield????!!! N Utd agree deal with PSG – they/no-one have not made any official contact for a fee to be agreed!!?!!! Bloody hell, some the comments on here are an absolute joke!!! Think before typing,please people. l33bo Tue, 21 Jun 2011 9:31:01 pm Paris saint germain want sign him for 10m stick another 8 on there then we got a deal. sneijder said he’s happy at inter wish hed make up his mind now. I’d put money in nasri or sweinsteiger younger and nasri is proven in the premiership. nani to real swap for ozil Arfaan11 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:47:23 pm We need 2 keep hold of Berba,coz he is jus pure class,not only that I believe he still has bout 4-5 yrs @ th top coz he dnt rely on speed, playas as technically gifted as him tend 2 last longer,so every reason 2 keep hold of him,his best still may yet 2 come J Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:49:22 pm Well, SAF has been very very patient with him since he transferred here. Remember how bad he is when he just arrived? Like the first 2 seasons? Now, the last season, he finally proved he worth something and you tell me SAF is going to let him go? No. Chicharito is still very young, inconsistent and has poor skills. Berba may be slow but he’s got skills, no one can deny that. I honestly think if he’s the forward in the Barca match. We might have done something better.. franz Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:23:22 pm Nice to see some pro berba, and in that role he may shine.. His work rate isn’t UNITEDs way but he is still class Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:27:39 pm Berbatov is a player so much luv, sad age isn’t on his side nylonger… Blessed wif great 1st onw torch ball control… Fergie shld make him a playmaker… Let him strt behind two front Men nd U̶̲̥̅̊’ll see wht he can do wif d ball… Stefano Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:27:58 pm Did someone say that if Berbatov played against Barca the result might have been different? Delusion of grandeur my friend! BRIAN Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:55:57 pm IT HAS BEING REPORTED UNITED AND PSG AGREE A FEE ALSO SHITE MAKE A LAST DITCH BID FOR SANCHEZ AND UNITED WERE REPORTED TO MATCH ANY BID FOR SANCHEZ SO CRASY SUMMER BUT NO ONE YET A PART FROM YOUNG AND JONES thinker Wed, 22 Jun 2011 3:16:27 am Article is spot on, he is a great asset in the league. h5z Wed, 22 Jun 2011 4:14:53 am I’d say convert him to a central midfielder… Can be an effective axis with Rooney & Henandez Fred Wed, 22 Jun 2011 4:57:19 am Cracking picture of Berbatov at the head of this article. Class! Marc Wed, 22 Jun 2011 5:57:35 am Forget about Sanchez guys, we won’t get him! Jones, Young, De Gea, Varane… who else?? Wed, 22 Jun 2011 8:58:15 am not a big fan of berba but he did finish the top goal scorer….. Jumari Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:59:23 am Keep Berbatov and get world class midfielders, one destroyer/enforcer and one playmaker. BRIAN Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:20:21 am MORE BAD NEWS VARANE HAS SIGNED FOR REAL ON A FIVE YEAR DEAL ;SO THAT IS ABOUT REALY G13 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:02:25 pm Keep Berba. He was one of the main reason why we won the BPL the season! Pure class striker. Role of a striker = score goals. Why would you want your strikers to chase for the ball all the time and tired himself out? Might as well stay on the front line and launch a counter att when need be. He can always play behind Rooney and chicha. Set the ball up and move forward. Or even have a triangle swap of roles between the strikers to mess up the def of others. Keep him I say! Comments are closed. |  
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