Dimitar Berbatov | 2010/11 Performances

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Wasn't there someone here saying yesterday that Berbatov showed his bad character by not acknowledging the fans as he came off yesterday? Makes this part from the interview especially interesting:

What will you do now. Will you watch your goals?

No. Noooooooo! I can’t watch myself. Even when I came off and everyone was applauding I felt so shy. I love it but I don’t know how to react to it. I’m going to go home. Play with my family and maybe watch a movie later. I can’t wait for training. How weird is that?!
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Just goes to show that when people have a go at players with such certainty on here, they're often doing so without really knowing what's going on...
 
The Day Dimitar won everybody over

The Day Dimitar won everybody over

One of the most polemic footballers we have had in recent times, Dimitar Berbatov has completely divided fans ever since arriving at Old Trafford for 30 Million back in the Summer of 2008.

Over the past two years I have found myself constantly swapping between a Berbatov lover and a Berbatov critic which conveys how inconsistent the man has been.

Failure to score on a regular basis or play consistently for two underwhelming years by his high standards had me truly doubting whether our gifted number 9 will ever truly make it at Old Trafford and the people who have always believed his rise to hero was inevitable has the right to say 'I told you so' because God knows it couldn't always been easy to defend the Bulgarian at times.

This season, something seems to have clicked in Berbatov's world, he seems faster than ever, he seems more mobile than ever and he seems more willing to get involved and take control of proceedings more than ever.

It serves as a firm reminded to never doubt Sir Alex's patience, we have seen it many times, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and most recently even Nani where alot of United fans thought he was on his way out.

However, even with his amazing start to the season there was something left on Berbatov's checklist needed to be ticked to convince everybody of the superstar he is, which is dominating a big game. Somethng which he had failed to do within his first season and never really got any more chances to do in his second due to formation changes.

The stage was set, Manchester United vs our closest rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, it just does not get any bigger than this. It was the ultimate opportunity for Dimitar to show the entire world he has arrived at Old Trafford and he passed with flying colours.

His first goal was a fantastic header right into the corner despite Konchelsky's best efforts to divert the ball with his hand.

Now the second goal was something else, it was a reminder why Sir Alex had compared the Bulgarian to Eric Cantona ever since day one. It can only be described as magical, when he performed that over head kick everything seemed to move in slow motion as the ball hit the back of the net with Reina rooted to the spot, causing the Stretford end to erupt. Dimitar Berbatov was putting in the big game performance we had all craved from him.


Berbatov_Cantona1.jpg


Berbatov justified comparisons with King Eric

Then something uncanny happened, due to a lapse in concetration Liverpool managed to pull two back in an attempt to rain on Berbatov's parade but he was having none of it. His third goal was a true center forwards goal, something he has been criticised in the past for not doing enough of, putting his height to good use. He leaped above Carragah and steered his header past Reina subsequently cementing his place in Manchester United history.

Last year when Rooney got injured alot of people looked to Berbatov to prove his worth and for whatever reason it just didn't click. This time with Rooney misfiring for whatever reasons, Berbatov is definitely proving he was worth every single penny Sir Alex paid for him. He has taken it upon himself to ensure United has the firepower to keep fighting.

No matter what happens from now on, the unflattering flop tag has been firmly dropped and would never be allowed to surface again, even if it doesn't last, the 20th of September 2010 was the day Dimitar Berbatov won every single Manchester United fan over.

With an incredible 7 goals in 6 appearences all ready to his name, long may his great form continue! We have finally found our number 9! People may complain about the lack of signings in the Summer but Berbatov feels like a brand new player.

To relive that second goal I hope to tell my grandchildren about:


0:21
 
It is going to be interesting to see how we line up in a 4-5-1.'

Presumably Rooney out on the left? I've seen Dimitar rotate out to the right wing on a few occassions this season (his goal against Everton being an example), so having a mobile front 3, interchanging will be quite a nice weapon to have again.

Keep it up Berbatov. The Caf has lots of man love for you these days.
 
After being interview by Sky Sports after our 3-2 win over Liverpool, Dimitar Berbatov gave an interview with a Bulgarian TV network in his native tongue.

Here is the translation, with Berbatov being referred to as Mitko, the name he is known by in his home country.

Mitko you have had a troubled time…

I wouldn’t say troubled. I am not troubled. I am lucky. I have loved my time here.

A disappointing time. Would you say that?

I was disappointed with myself that I could not please all the supporters. I have said before the people of Manchester United are the judges and that is the way it should be. It is their team. I am a guest. A privileged guest.

This season what has changed?

Man, I don’t know but I’m just so happy. So confident. I feel like everything I imagine on the pitch will come true and that feels awesome. I have worked hard on my fitness. So hard. I’m not a weights guy, I’m sure you can see by my body, but I have been trying even to work on that. I ran 6 miles every day during the off season. I watched one World Cup match, went for a run. Then watched another and went for another run. This was my routine.

Wow…you must be tired!

No man that’s the thing. This crowd at Old Trafford. The way I feel right now. I’m not tired. I feel alive. I have always said I am so lucky to play here. For these people. For this manager. For this club. With these players. I can’t describe it man.

It is showing. Keep it up Mitko. What will you do now. Will you watch your goals?

No. Noooooooo! I can’t watch myself. Even when I came off and everyone was applauding I felt so shy. I love it but I don’t know how to react to it. I’m going to go home. Play with my family and maybe watch a movie later. I can’t wait for training. How weird is that?!
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Loving the new attitude! :cool:
 
KM said:
His attitude has always been like this, he has always comes across as being too modest and very decent in his interviews.
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I was talking about his hard working attitude, by this I mean, I don't think he worked so hard on his pre-seasons before & so far he his reaping the benefits. He must not forget this is only the start of the season, no trophies are being handed out yet & he must just keep his head down and keep up the good work. But so far looks like he is doing just that.
 
I just stumbled upon this (which may have been mentioned already):

Berbatov scored his 27th league goal for Utd in his 69th appearance. He scored exactly the same number for Spurs...in 70 league appearances.
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Accurate? Interesting, if so.
 
- Berbatov scored 27 league goals in 70 appearances for Spurs, prompting the £30m transfer fee. After being widely criticised by sections of United fans, the media and rival fans, Berbatov has scored 27 league goals in 69 appearances for United.

- Berbatov has collected 18 assists in those 69 appearances, giving a total of 45 goals scored or created, an average of 0.7 per game.

- In Wayne Rooney’s first 69 appearances for the club, he scored 24 goals. He also provided 13 assists, giving a total of 37 goals scored or created, an average of 0.5 per game.

- Rooney has scored 92 goals in 192 appearances for United and created 51 assists, giving a total of 143 scored or created, an average of 0.7 per game.

- Berbatov created an average of 2.2 goalscoring opportunities per 90 minutes in the Premiership in 09/10, more than any striker in the league.

- Berbatov has scored more league goals after 5 games in 2010/2011 Carlos Tevez did all season in 2008/2009.

- Berbatov is the first United player in 64 years to score a hattrick against Liverpool. He’s the first United player in 82 years to score a hattrick against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

- Fernando Torres (£24m) has scored 57 goals in 84 games for Liverpool. He has picked up 11 assists in that time, taking the total number of goals scored or created to 68, an average of 0.8 per game.

- Robinho (£31m) scored 14 goals in 41 games for City, providing 8 assists, giving a total of 22 goals scored or created, an average of 0.5 per game.

- Didier Drogba (£24m) has scored 89 goals in 171 games for Chelsea,
providing 43 assists, giving a total of 0.8 per game.

- Carlos Tevez scored 19 goals in 63 games for Manchester United, providing 10 assists, giving a total of 29 goals scored or created, an average of 0.5 per game.
 
Allforone said:
- Berbatov scored 27 league goals in 70 appearances for Spurs, prompting the £30m transfer fee. After being widely criticised by sections of United fans, the media and rival fans, Berbatov has scored 27 league goals in 69 appearances for United.
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Doesn't quite tell the full story though does it

I'm delighted for Berbatov, I've no qualms in saying I didn't think he was going to produce a season like he has so far, at his age after two years of indifference with the odd moment of inspiration thrown in. But even if he's a complete bag of toss from this moment on, he'll always have that game against the Scousers now
 
I am delighted Berbatov is scoring goals.

Even when he was not scoring a lot, I love watching him in a match. Some players are just the type of player that I like to see at United. It was a large fee, but watching someone like Berbatov is something that is rare and I am glad he is playing for our club on the biggest stage.
 
B Cantona said:
Doesn't quite tell the full story though does it

I'm delighted for Berbatov, I've no qualms in saying I didn't think he was going to produce a season like he has so far, at his age after two years of indifference with the odd moment of inspiration thrown in. But even if he's a complete bag of toss from this moment on, he'll always have that game against the Scousers now
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Yep and one of the best goals scored at the Stretford End in years. He's going the right way about winning over the doubters, that's for sure.
 
All I can say is keep it going.

The least I want to see from him is workrate, goal threat and confidence. He's showing these things and more at the moment. While Rooney has struggled to overcome his indiscretions it's reassuring to know that Berbatov's form has been so outstanding. It's a great start and I hope he has the mentality to maintain it throughout the rest of the season. His attitude sounds spot on from those interviews above and the guy is just oozing self belief. With the majority of fans on his side now, he can be truly brilliant.
 
Berbatov
Berbatov
Berbatov, feck yeah!
Coming again to save the mother feckin day, yeah,
Berbatov
Winning is the only way, yeah,
Scousers your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
Berbatov, feck yeah!
So lick my butt, and suck on my balls,
Berbatov, feck yeah!
What you going to do when we come for you now,
He's the dream that we all share; He's the hope for tomorrow

feck YEAH!

McDonalds, feck YEAH!
adidas, feck YEAH!
Old Trafford, feck YEAH!
Cigarettes, feck YEAH!
EPL, feck YEAH!
Rock and roll, feck YEAH!
The Internet, feck YEAH!
Muppetry, feck YEAH!

feck YEAH!

Starfish, feck YEAH!
Euro Disney, feck YEAH!
Porno, feck YEAH!
Steroids, feck YEAH!
Nike tops, feck YEAH!
Fake Tits, feck YEAH!
Sushi, feck YEAH!
Taco Bell, feck YEAH!
Rodeos, feck YEAH!
Bed bath and beyond (feck yeah, feck yeah)

Movies, feck YEAH!
Hat tricks, feck YEAH!
The hair, feck YEAH!
Band-aids, feck YEAH!
Manchester, feck YEAH!
Boxing Day, feck YEAH!
Bulgarians, feck YEAH!
Popeye, feck YEAH!
Scousers, feck YEAH!
Chavs (Chavs)
(feck yeah, feck yeah)
Sportsmanship
Books
 
“Half the people might like me, the other half might not, but throughout my life I’ve had high expectations for myself so I just try to make the non-believers into believers.” -

Dimitar Berbatov, February 2009

Well, I believed in Berba till the Chelsea game last season. After that game I thought he had no future at United. I'm happy that wasn't quite the case. The way he took his goals against the scousers reminded me of van Basten. Those who have watched v. Basten know what I'm talking about. SAF is right that Berba has a touch of genius about him.
 
Treble said:
“Half the people might like me, the other half might not, but throughout my life I’ve had high expectations for myself so I just try to make the non-believers into believers.” -

Dimitar Berbatov, February 2009

Well, I believed in Berba till the Chelsea game last season. After that game I thought he had no future at United. I'm happy that wasn't quite the case. The way he took his goals against the scousers reminded me of van Basten. Those who have watched v. Basten know what I'm talking about. SAF is right that Berba has a touch of genius about him.
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This is how i felt, until that day I had faith in him, then whatever happened on that day made me think we should part ways. I felt he didnt believe he belonged. I am glad he came back fighting and has proven all the doubters wrong.

Class player, class interview.
 
I just read his interview about what he did during the World Cup and what it means for him to play for United. A fantastic, wonderful interview I have to say!
 
After being interview by Sky Sports after our 3-2 win over Liverpool, Dimitar Berbatov gave an interview with a Bulgarian TV network in his native tongue.

Here is the translation, with Berbatov being referred to as Mitko, the name he is known by in his home country.

Mitko you have had a troubled time…

I wouldn’t say troubled. I am not troubled. I am lucky. I have loved my time here.

A disappointing time. Would you say that?

I was disappointed with myself that I could not please all the supporters. I have said before the people of Manchester United are the judges and that is the way it should be. It is their team. I am a guest. A privileged guest.

This season what has changed?

Man, I don’t know but I’m just so happy. So confident. I feel like everything I imagine on the pitch will come true and that feels awesome. I have worked hard on my fitness. So hard. I’m not a weights guy, I’m sure you can see by my body, but I have been trying even to work on that. I ran 6 miles every day during the off season. I watched one World Cup match, went for a run. Then watched another and went for another run. This was my routine.

Wow…you must be tired!

No man that’s the thing. This crowd at Old Trafford. The way I feel right now. I’m not tired. I feel alive. I have always said I am so lucky to play here. For these people. For this manager. For this club. With these players. I can’t describe it man.

It is showing. Keep it up Mitko. What will you do now. Will you watch your goals?

No. Noooooooo! I can’t watch myself. Even when I came off and everyone was applauding I felt so shy. I love it but I don’t know how to react to it. I’m going to go home. Play with my family and maybe watch a movie later. I can’t wait for training. How weird is that?!
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What a great interview! Just read it. What a difference in the attitude with some other players.
I am so fcking happy for him! I just bought one more Berbatov jersey to remind me of the day he was reborn
 
I said several times last year that Berbatov had a pretty ok season last season. He was playing well before Christmas, got criticised for not scoring enough, and starting scoring after Christmas. If the season had ended in March, I think general opinion would be that he had a succesful season.

It didn't though, and when Rooney got injured, and we needed points in April and May Berbatovs form dipped along with the rest of the team. Had he scored a couple of more goals, for example away at Blackburn, we might have won the league and he would not be under so much criticism. It's basically small differences between a very succesful season, and one classified as a poor one.

Those small differences seem to be turned this year, the margins are on his side. He does seem more fit and more confident. Lets hope it keeps up. As has been said an endless amount of times: the talent and potential is there.
 
Dyslexic Untied said:
I said several times last year that Berbatov had a pretty ok season last season. He was playing well before Christmas, got criticised for not scoring enough, and starting scoring after Christmas. If the season had ended in March, I think general opinion would be that he had a succesful season.

It didn't though, and when Rooney got injured, and we needed points in April and May Berbatovs form dipped along with the rest of the team. Had he scored a couple of more goals, for example away at Blackburn, we might have won the league and he would not be under so much criticism. It's basically small differences between a very succesful season, and one classified as a poor one.

Those small differences seem to be turned this year, the margins are on his side. He does seem more fit and more confident. Lets hope it keeps up. As has been said an endless amount of times: the talent and potential is there.
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That's what it's all about though if you're going to become a big player at OT. Nani began doing it last season, he started becoming one of the people we can rely on. He put on fantastic performances against Arsenal and Bayern. And Berbatov was always going to be expected to do the same. And now he is. He's becoming the influential player Fergie expected him to when he signed him.

As good as his seasons been, the performance against Liverpool was more than that. It will always be remembered as one of the finest.
 
So if he's managed to vastly improve his fitness and game - purely by having a summer rountine of going for a 6 mile run after every WC game - what, if anything, does that say about United's fitness coaches?

Shouldn't he have done this work with them a long time ago?
 
kouroux said:
Maybe it's extra work.
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That doesn't really answer my point though.

It's always claimed that United boast the most up to date technology when assessing players fitness. So how did they miss the fact that something as simple as 'going for a 6 mile run every day' would radically improve Berbatov?
 
I don't think they missed it but during a season I don't think a player can afford to run 6 miles every day with all the matches and accumulated fatigue.
The summer is a good opportunity for players to either rest and party or to get fitter by having their own program without the football to get them tired
 
It doesn't say anything about United's fitness coaches, as all they can do in the off-season is give a list of instructions and hope that the players follow them. They can only directly influence/assess indivicual fitness when the players are all back at the club and at that point most of the conditioning training is based around match preparation and recovery.

What it does say is that Berbatov probably worked harder than most of his team-mates throughout the summer, which is why his conditioning has looked unusually good this early in the season. It's impossible for an athlete to hit peak condition after a few weeks pre-season training when they've spent the last few weeks before that drinking lager, eating pies and sitting on their arses.

Reminds me a bit of Steven Ireland. His best season came after a summer spend training his bollox off with an MMA conditioning coach. hit the ground running from day one and kept up his phenomenal fitness levels all season.
 
BaldwinLegend said:
That doesn't really answer my point though.

It's always claimed that United boast the most up to date technology when assessing players fitness. So how did they miss the fact that something as simple as 'going for a 6 mile run every day' would radically improve Berbatov?
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Well I also wouldn't say that his "radical" improvement is solely down to running a few extra miles a day. It has certainly helped, dont get me wrong but I think the raw ingredients were all there and now it has all clicked into place for some or other reason, unexplained or explained.

But to which extent players actually work on their fitness during off-season is really a personal choice, so out fitness coaches would not have had any or much control over that.
 
I mentioned it once before but I believe Berba has finally gotten over his long standing knee complaint - he went to see a different knee Surgeon based in Yorkshire.

Which having cleared up may have now let him train much harder and get fitter and added to not having to fly all over the place for internationals all has helped.
 
kouroux said:
I don't think they missed it but during a season I don't think a player can afford to run 6 miles every day with all the matches and accumulated fatigue.
The summer is a good opportunity for players to either rest and party or to get fitter by having their own program without the football to get them tired
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Exactly, he can't be training in the morning and then going for a run in the afternoon as well as playing two games a week, the off-season was the only time for this

And I'd be sure the coaches played a part in this as well, but all credit to Berbatov, he certainly looks leaner and it's paying off so far this season
 
Commadus said:
I mentioned it once before but I believe Berba has finally gotten over his long standing knee complaint - he went to see a different knee Surgeon based in Yorkshire.

Which having cleared up may have now let him train much harder and get fitter and added to not having to fly all over the place for internationals all has helped.
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Exactly, SAF said a few times as well last season that they were sparingly using Berbatov because he had a knee injury and they didnt want to lose him for the season given that Owen was out.

Over summer he would have had enough time to fully rest and get his fitness levels up in time for pre-season, then added with the trainning schemes we impliment he got to the levels our coaching staff expect - i doubt our coaches would push Berbatov too hard if they were trying to nurse him through with a injury.
 
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