After making a record breaking move to Manchester United on deadline day in 2008, it can be argued that he has failed to make an impact in his time at Old Trafford. In his first season he only managed to beat Opposition goalkeepers nine times and many fans fail to see why almost Thirty-One million pounds was spent on him. However, last season he was fundamental to United's season, winning the Golden Boot and sending us to our 19th League Title. Scoring twenty goals in 32 matches, including a memorable Hat-Trick against Liverpool, and two more Hat-Tricks in the 2010/11 season (First to do so since Ruud can Nistelroory) definitely sent us on our path to the Title. Since that season, his best yet, he has slipped down the pecking order at United. Even being totally left out of the squad for the Champions League final.
This season he seems to be a fourth-choice striker for us, behind Rooney, Chicharito and Welbeck. In the five league games (out of a possible Twelve) that he has played in, he has scored no goals and only managed Two shots. Confined to Carling Cup games is this really what a Thirty Million pounds player deserves? Or does he deserve regular first team football away from Old Trafford? He is a player who has been accused of being lazy and uninterested in games, but personally I think Berbatov is a brilliant and unique kind of striker. One who is capable of absolute brilliance and skill. One who can slow down play in the face of defenders surrounding him in order to create time for other players to get up the field and involved in the play. One who infuriates fans.
One game he can be a joy to watch, dribbling around players and goalkeepers like they aren't even there. Another game he leaves me shouting bloody murder at him. I love watching Berbatov play when on form. I love his style of play and his general attitude to not just the game, but to life at Manchester United. He is nothing short of a role model for his attitude. To me, he seems extremely dedicated and loyal to our club. Never speaking out against it publicly and always keeping his head even when left out of the Champions League final or left out of so many Premier League games. Never flying off to his homeland after spitting his dummy out like a certain Ex-Man United striker from Argentina. This, Berbatov's most likeable feature, is one of the main reasons why i have so much respect for the man.
Berbatov has been linked with several moves away in January to places like PSG and Anzhi. As said, I'm a guy who loves Berbatov and would love to see him play week after week in a United shirt. Things aren't always as easy as "Just playing week after week." Rooney and Hernandez play very well off each other like Rooney and Berbatov never could. Welbeck is also a very bright prospect who needs minutes on the pitch for him to grow even better than he is for us now. It is for this reason I would prefer to see Berbatov leave us in January. He is a World Class player and in my opinion, deserves regular first team football and would prefer to see him leave for a club that can offer him that. We cannot offer him that as he seems to be our Fourth choice striker. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Berbatov is one of a kind and extremely talented. I would prefer to see him enjoying his football at another club, than see him doomed to our bench. For me, he will always hold a place in the heart of Manchester United and we must always be grateful for his 2010/11 season.
No comments:
Post a Comment