Dimitar Berbatov | 2010/11 Performances

[Freak]

Fair play, but he is not an United player. Btw, Bulgarians are known for their hard work, shame we got an exception to the general rule.



What I meant is not a constant formation with him behind the strikers, but when it makes sense. For example:

---Hargreaves ---- Fletcher----

Valencia ---Berba --- Nani

----------Rooney------------

or

-----------Essien------------


Valencia -- Berba----Nani

----Rooney----Hernandez----

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how SAF sets the formations if Berba is still around after the summer.

It will never work. The player behind the main striker, not only has to create chances for the striker, but has to get into promising positions himself to score, taking shots from distance on etc. Frank Lampard plays this role very well. Berbatov doesn't even get into promising positions from a striking position, what makes you think he'd do so from a deeper position

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Wouldnt surprise me at all, although personally I hope its not the case. I'd like to see us give Hernandez and Macheda lots of oppertunities next season and as early as possible. Maybe they'll kick on and start producing on a regular basis. Or perhaps Berbatov will show some form to fight for his place.

One thing in Berbatov's favour though is that Hernandez plays a lot like Owen. And Sir Alex has said he sees Owen and Rooney as the same sort of striker. So it might be that its mostly Rooney/Hernandez/Owen + Berbatov. Not entirely sure what he'd consider Macheda... But probably in the same first category. Which makes everything look rosy for Berbatov...

Except that these kids actually have a good number of years to make it as top players at this club. Berbatov is past his best and his best for us has been full of his team mates being bloody frustrated in him. He just isn't a United player. I'd rather spend the whole season on a few youngsters who have some chances of being one.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Actually I'd be fairly happy with Berbatov, Rooney, Hernandez and Macheda as our strikers next season, AS LONG AS we strengthen the midfield. Especially if we sign someone like Oezil to create and ensure our strikers focus on making an impact in the final third.

 

[Commadus]

Except that these kids actually have a good number of years to make it as top players at this club. Berbatov is past his best and his best for us has been full of his team mates being bloody frustrated in him. He just isn't a United player. I'd rather spend the whole season on a few youngsters who have some chances of being one.

Great in theory but we don't have the time to indulge in the development of youngsters at the expense of not winning.

I just don't think in todays game we can just blood youngsters unless they are exceptional talents because the demands of United are such that we need to be hinting for success always.

It's why SAF plumped £30.75m on Berba to buy proven EPL quality.

 

[Ekeke]

Except that these kids actually have a good number of years to make it as top players at this club. Berbatov is past his best and his best for us has been full of his team mates being bloody frustrated in him. He just isn't a United player. I'd rather spend the whole season on a few youngsters who have some chances of being one.

Yeah but is the manager going to keep him as a backup player with the kids playing instead of him? If thats the deal, fine by me. I just dont think it will be. I think he'll still be first choice (in a two) and the longer thats the case, the more its probably going to frustrate me.

 

[devilish]

Berba is as slow as an 80 yr old which kind of slow our game, his finishing sucks which makes as suitable for the forward line as VDS is and his work rate makes Veron look like a young Roy Keane on steriods. If you forget those three issues then he is a magnificent player.

If a good offer comes in then we should kick erm consider selling him up. Unfortunately I doubt that anyone would want such great player in their team. Not after his magnificent displays with us.

 

[hungrywing]

A lot of people need to read up on the little-known true size of the Bulgarian shirt-selling market.

a) Berbatov has an elaborate, idealized and most unfortunately a fixed image in his mind as to how he would contribute to a top tier club.

b) He is either deathly allergic to playing with his back to goal, or a team of invisible sea-monkeys constantly stimulates certain sensitive parts of his anatomy as long as he is facing goal.

c) b) is a problem if you are built with God-given tools of an otherwise excellent target man.

d) he doesn't realize that playing for any top tier club - unless you're a Messi or a Ronaldo - involves major sacrifice. Look at Rooney on the wing. Park having to suffer the indignity of being called a 'defensive winger'. Nani having to play on the left. Carrick having to endure this last season because Berba would not stay up top.

Does he not know how his wingers or midfielders feel when they see acres of spaces just aching for a perfect through ball, or a defender shifting his weight to the wrong side just begging for a striker who could exploit that - and they look up and see Berba five yards away: 'Pass to me.'

e) all of the above

 

[Crustanoid]

Berbatov is staying with United as the two teams linked with Berbatov won't be coming for him now. Bayern would be mad to take Berba when they have Muller and as to Milan I think they will go after Dzeko.

Long shot is Wolfsburg buying Berba but only if Dzeko moves.

So getting the best out of Berba will be SAF challenge once again - third time lucky?

Bench option is unfortunately the best we can hope for as the likelihood of Berbatov being sold is very small and there are no rumours at all regarding his exit. We have to hope that by keeping him, and with the need to play a 30mil signing, the progress of Hernandez, Diouf and Macheda is not impeded. It's a long shot, but it would also be good if SAF makes a signing for a genuine hole player / attacking midfielder.

 

[manusteve]

Bench option is unfortunately the best we can hope for as the likelihood of Berbatov being sold is very small and there are no rumours at all regarding his exit. We have to hope that by keeping him, and with the need to play a 30mil signing, the progress of Hernandez, Diouf and Macheda is not impeded. It's a long shot, but it would also be good if SAF makes a signing for a genuine hole player / attacking midfielder.

Do you think there is an inclination to involve Berbatov because of the price tag? Clearly, he has shown himself to be unable to partner Rooney effectively OR play up front by himself. For me that's enough for me to say that he has little use for United.

Conversely, I am really excited about seeing more of Macheda and Hernandez. I do not mention Diouf and Owen, because I think Diouf is technically lacking and Owen will inevitably get injuries.

And I also don't agree that bedding in the young strikers should be set aside for the sake of winning trophies immediately. Just look what Hernandez has achieved at the World Cup - good goal against France and a superb goal against Argentina. Could Berbatov have scored those goals? Unlikely! And then look at Macheda's critical goal against Villa two seasons ago, and also his goal against Sunderland, Could Berbatove have scored those goals? Unlikely.

Simply, I couldn't care less if Berbatov is still at the club or not, I would just prefer him to be less involved than Hernandez and Macheda.

 

[Escobar]

I would love to see Macheda and Hernandez giving plenty of playing time. However, with the league bing so competitive and tight, I am not sure how willing Fergie is to give them play time

 

[Commadus]

Who does SAF play?

1)Berbatov - 2 years in still failing to make his mark and gel with Rooney.
2) Owen - SAF believes he is too similar to Rooney so will only play when Rooney does not.
3) Diouf- this guy lacks experience and not sure about his technical ability
4) Macheda - only 18 and still too young to be relied upon to start
5) Hernandez - shows great potential but will need time to adjust to the pace of the EPL

All in all it will not come as a surprise Berba will be starting. SAF put all his eggs into one basket and now has to live with that decision for better or worse.

 

[RedSky]

I would love to see Macheda and Hernandez giving plenty of playing time. However, with the league bing so competitive and tight, I am not sure how willing Fergie is to give them play time

I think its sensible to play them at Old Trafford against the lower half of the table. Thats the best way to get them involved.

 

[Laphroaig]

Who does SAF play?

1)Berbatov - 2 years in still failing to make his mark and gel with Rooney.
2) Owen - SAF believes he is too similar to Rooney so will only play when Rooney does not.
3) Diouf- this guy lacks experience and not sure about his technical ability
4) Macheda - only 18 and still too young to be relied upon to start
5) Hernandez - shows great potential but will need time to adjust to the pace of the EPL

All in all it will not come as a surprise Berba will be starting. SAF put all his eggs into one basket and now has to live with that decision for better or worse.

Welbeck?

 

[Commadus]

Welbeck?

He will be out on loan. His development seems to have stalled due to niggling injuries he has a habit of picking up. he may be one of those players that unti they stop growing and develop physically we may not see the best of them.

 

[Shimo]

Berbatov is not going to be involved any less this season. If that's what you are hoping for then you might as well prepare your rants from now.

I know I am one of the few if not only person but, I think him and Rooney did well together once they stopped trying to play Berbatov further up the pitch and the issues of injury and inconsistent midfield in the first half of the season was behind them.

I think Diouf and Welbeck will both end up out on loan and Macheda/Hernandez get starts in the CC. Owen will continue to play main backup striker.

I can't wait for pre-season to get started. Hopefully we'll see a rejuvenated Berbatov because he is going to play regardless of how most of the Caf feel about him.

 

[hungrywing]

I think we're also forgetting the possibility that his best did indeed come at some point. And it left immediately after.

 

[SittingBull]

FFS, could we just unload him in a player exchange for Dzeko, or even Ozil Mesut? Surely he has a good reputation in Germany during his Leverkusen days, and a team or two will consider an offer?

 

[Red Defence]

All the moanin old minnies seem to congregate in this thread don't they.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Great in theory but we don't have the time to indulge in the development of youngsters at the expense of not winning.

I just don't think in todays game we can just blood youngsters unless they are exceptional talents because the demands of United are such that we need to be hinting for success always.

It's why SAF plumped £30.75m on Berba to buy proven EPL quality.

Which would all make sense if Berbatov was good enough. My guess is Hernadez if given the chances Berbatov has been these past two seasons, will out performed him the coming one. Berbatov just isn't good enough to be a Manchester United player, or at least a first choice player for us. There's no expense involved. Berbatov has had a terrible career with us so far. Anything but him is worth a shot!

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Yeah but is the manager going to keep him as a backup player with the kids playing instead of him? If thats the deal, fine by me. I just dont think it will be. I think he'll still be first choice (in a two) and the longer thats the case, the more its probably going to frustrate me.

And all of us. Who wants to keep watching a striker who just doesn't belong, whose game noone understands and whose mentality is just not up to it. Honestly, I want anyone to start but Berbatov this coming season. We need a bit freshness in our attack, a bit of dynamism. We need to escape the whole 'give us some goals Wayne' feel about our team. Berbatov just sinks up deeper into that.

 

[Boss]

Berbatov is not going to be involved any less this season. If that's what you are hoping for then you might as well prepare your rants from now.

I know I am one of the few if not only person but, I think him and Rooney did well together once they stopped trying to play Berbatov further up the pitch and the issues of injury and inconsistent midfield in the first half of the season was behind them.

I think Diouf and Welbeck will both end up out on loan and Macheda/Hernandez get starts in the CC. Owen will continue to play main backup striker.

I can't wait for pre-season to get started. Hopefully we'll see a rejuvenated Berbatov because he is going to play regardless of how most of the Caf feel about him.

Stop scaring people, you don't know this for sure, hopefully Hernandez cements a place with Rooney

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I'm scared

 

[Anderson15]

Im looking forward too seeing Berba this season, hes had a whole summer too rest, he knows this season is make or break and there's no doubt he has the talents too prove his critics wrong

 

[Red Defence]

I'm scared

Go cuddle up to your mam then.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Im looking forward too seeing Berba this season, hes had a whole summer too rest, he knows this season is make or break and there's no doubt he has the talents too prove his critics wrong

As opposed to last summer? This is exactly the situation Berbatov found himself in 12 months ago.

I'd love for him to do well but I'm not holding my breath

 

[hungrywing]

Did he get his operation?

 

[B Cantona]

Im looking forward too seeing Berba this season

I'm not

If he's still here, and still getting game time, I hope he finally turns it on, but I won't be looking forward to watching him, because I don't think he will and it'll be yet more frustration

 

[Boss]

God, another year of this, I want a miracle to happen with him

 

[BAMSOLA]

Did he get his operation?

Yes.

He now has a pair of bollocks and a backbone.

Just kidding folks.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I'm not

If he's still here, and still getting game time, I hope he finally turns it on, but I won't be looking forward to watching him, because I don't think he will and it'll be yet more frustration

I feel the same way. This doesn't happen often but I really don't want to watch him in a United shirt. When there's a young player who is frustrating but getting chances it's alright because he has years ahead of him. Berbatov didn't have too many when he came to us and now there's little left in the tank. I would love to be proven wrong but it's hard to see how it's going to work out for him at United.

 

[Commadus]

Did he get his operation?

I have not read it anywhere that he has had an operation so it seems his injury was not as bad as it seems and has healed up on its own. Remeber he only missed 4 weeks due to injury.

 

[B Cantona]

So we can look forward to hearing the 'he's still injured' excuse to explain away his crap performances all through next season then?

 

[ciderman9000000]

I'm a Berbafan, but, to be honest, i think he's fluffed his lines somewhat at United. I have to agree with amol, if he was younger i'd advise patience, but as is, him being at the club is only denying younger players their well deserved opportunities.

 

[Shimo]

Did he get his operation?

I don't think he had any surgery. His knee problem last year was a strange one in that it was really problematic during the really cold period and was struggling with it where they thought he'd need surgery but, they'll manage it till after the season ended.

When United went to Abu Dhabi (was it?) they reported that he had trained without any issue. Once they came back there was a bit of a problem but, soon after when weather in England started to thaw a little - the problem didn't really rear it's head. There was no evidence of it towards the end of the season.

 

[Ekeke]

God, another year of this, I want a miracle to happen with him

You want him to dissappear?

 

[redwhiteblack]

Hernandez's performances at the World Cup could well end up being the catalyst for Berbatov's career to move elsewhere.

I think some on here don't quite get that a 21 year old striker who's scoring goals against Holland, France, Italy and Argentina is now in our squad...

Seriously, who are you gonna pick - a fragile, 29 year old, slow, goal shy striker who you preferred to play Nani up front to at the end of last season - or an aggressive, fast, goal hungry 21 year old who's movement, directness and finishing can cause problems at World Cup level?

This young man will without doubt be entering our team ahead of Berbatov in the pecking order. Try and look at it objectively.

And with a glance at our other strikers -

Rooney - Most important player
Hernandez - See above - plus low wage
Macheda - One of brightest youth prospects of last 5 years - low wage
Owen - Pay as you play - low wage
King - Will get game team this season - very low wage

You have to start asking yourself why we're even contemplating keeping Dimitar!

I like Berbatov, and I think he tried his best for us, but it hasn't worked out.

We need a playmaker, we have a stable FULL of exciting young strike talent, let's sell Berbatov and add the 15m to our bid for Mesut Ozil.

You know it makes sense.

 

[ciderman9000000]

I don't think he had any surgery. His knee problem last year was a strange one in that it was really problematic during the really cold period and was struggling with it where they thought he'd need surgery but, they'll manage it till after the season ended.

When United went to Abu Dhabi (was it?) they reported that he had trained without any issue. Once they came back there was a bit of a problem but, soon after when weather in England started to thaw a little - the problem didn't really rear it's head. There was no evidence of it towards the end of the season.

The lazy fecker just doesn't like the cold!

 

[olesmyhero]

All this talk of Hernandez replacing Berbatov is a bit of bollocks really. Hernandez hasn't even played one minute for United, yet you all expect him to walk right into starting lineup. He has to prove himself just like everybody else.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

All this talk of Hernandez replacing Berbatov is a bit of bollocks really. Hernandez hasn't even played one minute for United, yet you all expect him to walk right into starting lineup. He has to prove himself just like everybody else.

Well...when we signed Berbatov he hadn't played a single minute for us and yet he walked right into the first team when we signed him! And he has remained there and then on the fringes after bad performances for two years. Hernandez's other main competition for a first team spot is the formation and a crock who Ferguson doesn't like partnering with his main striker.

Given his performances at the World Cup, it's not a load of bollocks to suggest Hernandez could start for United especially as poor Berbatov has been.

 

[redwhiteblack]

Well...when we signed Berbatov he hadn't played a single minute for us and yet he walked right into the first team when we signed him!

Good point, and the same with Rooney, Tevez, Valencia, Anderson and Nani.

Putting a player of Hernandez's form, ability and World Cup campaign into Man Utd reserves is not gonna happen for one second. Putting him on the bench while Berbatov starts is starting to seem more and more like something Rafa would do, not SAF.