Absolutely Berbastic

by @CheGiaevara

A few summers ago, a tall, elegant Bulgarian magician walked in at Old Trafford. Picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson himself at the airport in his £130,000 Bentley, the future looked, not only magistic, but also very bright for the wanted fellow. Now, two years later, he finds himself in the twilight zone, benched, and when played, not finding his rhythm and his relaxed and suave attitude has been switched with anger and seemingly more frustration.




The argument used for Dimitar Berbatov's lack of production for Manchester United is the amount of money that was traded for his services. A £30m signing in the style of Berbatov is expected to deliver instantly, and when he failed to strut his stuff, so failed the fans', and United's belief in his chances to become the next great Old Trafford legend. He was paired up with three of the greatest attacking players in his first season in Carlos Tévez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Among the stars, he seemed to be a bt in the shadow. From being known as a big fish in a small pond at every club he'd been at, he was suddenly a macrell in a sea of sharks. Was the switch too big of a cultural shock for Berbatov? The magnitude, the bright lights, the sheer dominance, the accolades. Did it all burst onto him too quick? Showing moments of brilliance in his first season, Berbatov certainly showed the fans his excellence, but only in those moments. However, moments that had the whole stadium going "Oooooooohhhhhh!" and "wooooooow" whenever he'd do them, the potential lived inside Berbatov. It was just his abillity to show everyone that was lacking.

 

Dimitar Berbatov was Premier League's topscorer last season

As Berbatov's second season arose, so did the believers. With Carlos Tévez and Cristiano Ronaldo leaving, the stage was set for Berbatov. Forming a deadly partnership along wth Wayne Rooney, he looked to be a man reborn early on in the season. The doubters would soon get to him though, as his body language changed from being very positive, smiling plenty and having fun, to his sulky, lonesome walks around the pitch, wondering where it all went wrong. As a Manchester United fan, I think I've never seen a man who's body language said more. It was like he was saying to himself "What are you doing, Dimitar? This is not the place for you." And it wasn't. A maestro of his class deserved so much more. A chance, a pat on the back, a smile, someone who was there to cheer him on, hell, supporters to cheer him on! Criticzed for not giving it all for his team, Berbatov relaxed attitude never grew on anyone, but the believers who, again, seemed to fade away along with his form. It was not like as if he never contributed. It was just him being in the shadow of Wayne Rooney who was in the form of his life. Whenever Rooney would not play, Berbatov was left to fend for his own. A man used to having a striker by his side would feel uncomfortable in his role, and Berbatov showed just that. Not being able to fill the gap left by Wayne Rooney, Berbatov ended the 2009/2010 in sulky, and turmoiled fashion, with critics screaming for his exit.


Then came the rebirth. The 2010/2011 brought the best out of Berbatov. As Wayne Rooney and newcomer Chicharito arrived from serving at the World Cup, Berbatov was fresh and more ready than ever. Rooney, who never really recovered from an injury he suffered towards the end of the pervious season, left the job to the Bulgarian, who clinched it with both fists. With impressive spells, including a hattrick against Liverpool, Berbatov will forever be remembered in Manchester United folkore. Perhaps not for his edgy style and his death-defying runs, but for his abillity to impress, entertain and play "sexy" football. That season showed it. Not only did Berbatov score a hattrick against Liverpool, he also sent Blackburn back home to Ewood Park with the end result being a 7-1 mauling. Berbatov bagging five for himself. When Wayne Rooney handed in his transfer request in mid-October, Berbatov danced over opponents as if they were nothing. Perhaps that was what Berbatov needed? All eyes on him? Not being compared to anyone? It seemed to be working for the Bulgarian as he continued to impress crowds everywhere. However, as the season neared it's conclusion, so did the bad spell for Wayne Rooney. Signing a new deal, regaining his confidence, Rooney showed why he was rated as the best player this world had to offer for a period of time the previous season. Along with the quick springs and the sprinting of young Mexican Javier "Chicharito" Hernández, Berbatov found himself in turmoil yet again. Benched, forgotten and left to fend for his own, Berbatov's performances faded yet again. He was no longer top dog. He was no longer the magician, the heir to the throne of King Eric. He was no longer worth the £30m United spent on him.

Does the bench at Old Trafford suit Berbatov?

This season, Berbatov has found himself on the bench yet again. This time even further back in the pecking order with Danny Welbeck coming back from his successful loan spell at Sunderland. A representative of Slavic sexy football, Berbatov may wonder for whom the bell might toll in the nearest future. He's not getting any younger, he's not going to get many more chances to prove his worth and there aren't many clubs who are willing to wait for him with regards to his age. Is it time for him to call it a day on his career at Old Trafford? A man who deserves so much more, yet finds himself in search for questions rather than giving the answers as he was used to, he may wonder if this is just one of those questions there won't be any answer to. As a man interested in the mindset of football players, I must admit I was surprised to see Berbatov stay over the summer after being left out of Manchester United's team to face Barcelona in the Champions League final. Not even was he featured on the bench. The man who bagged 20 goals in the Premier League, the topscorer, was not even featured as a substitute in the richest game you can play at international club level. I was thinking to myself "Why, Dimitar? Why are you taking this abuse?" I will admit to not being one of Berbatov's biggest fan, but I feel sympathy for the man. All the pressure that was piled up on him as he arrived, he never was given a fair chance by the supporters. You expect alot for the money you pay, Berbatov perhaps expecting even more of himself.

I can only imagine Berbatov being a man of great honor. A man relentless in his quest to show his true worth. A champion, a footballing king, a man not only protecting his reputation, but defending his worth. In refusing to leave Old Trafford this summer, Berbatov agreed to yet another year that will be filled with doubt and abuse from pundits, fans and everyone around football. One can only think that Berbatov is a man whose will is stronger than most. The only question that really does remain is if that will is because of his desire to prove why United paid £30m for him, or if there's any other reason why he wants to stick around. The desire of success will always be there, but is Berbatov really comfortable in taking a backseat? At the end of his career, you would expect him, along the likes of Michael Owen, to re-consider their status at the club and perhaps seek new adventures elsewhere. In terms of being a true professional, no one can every claim that Berbatov was controversial in that sense. Pledging his future to United not causing any harm to anyone, the Bulgarian will not leave Manchester United in the same mould as did Ronaldo and Tévez, however, he will not be remembered with such joy as the Portugese and not with such giddy as the Argentinian would create with his energy. If Dimitar Berbatov were to leave at the end of the season, taken into the account that his situation does not change, the Bulgarian will leave Old Trafford with people remembering what could've been, instead of what was. And why was that? Oh...I can think of 30 million reasons that would all make sense.