For two seasons Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has cut a disinterested figure and has been called everything from lazy to shite. This season, after seven goals in six games including a hat trick against Liverpool just moments ago, he has transformed himself into an Old Trafford hero.
A hat trick against Liverpool will instantly turn you into a star at Old Trafford – especially if you’re the first for 64 years, but Berbatov was already winning people over before that. The question is how?
When Berbatov was at Spurs he was a hero to the Tottenham fans. His undoubted talent shone in a team that lacked, at the time, true quality players. He was a big fish in a little pond and he thrived. When Manchester United came calling with a £30 million transfer fee Berbatov had made it. And it’s that, I think, that led to him to cause such frustration amongst the United supporters.
The Bulgarian arrived at Old Trafford believing his own hype. He ran out each week thinking that was all he had to do. There was no need to work, to track back, to tackle, to even chase a ball. He thought it would all be handed to him on a plate and he’d just bang the ball into the back of the net. Even if that had happened, it would not have been good enough for the Old Trafford faithful.
We love a skilful player, we love attacking football but it has to come with endeavour and effort. Berbatov did not show that and his performances in a team of equals, a team of grafters too, suffered for it. The criticism he received was justified but I think that played a part in his seemingly uninterested demeanour too. He loves to be loved.
No-one doubted his ability, it was his attitude that was under the microscope and it wasn’t good enough. Quite why it took two seasons for the realisation to dawn him I don’t know, but Berbatov HAS realised that he has to add work rate to his ability. So far this season that’s just what he’s done and the results are there for all to see.
Back home in Bulgaria, Berbatov enjoys a celebrity that has been likened to Beckham. The difference between the two is that, love him or hate him, Beckham worked hard on the pitch every time, he never gave less than 100% even when things weren’t going his way.
If Berbatov can keep his work rate up his ability will do the rest and the form he has displayed so far will continue. In addition, he will feel the love from the supporters and this, too, will help him perform. The sky is the limit for him then.
The rebirth of Dimitar Berbatov has just begun, but it looks as though he’s going to grow into the player Sir Alex Ferguson always believed he could be, even when the fans and media did not.
I mean, just look at this overhead kick!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpxRd2nAKgM[/youtube]
Which goalkeeper has the most goals in history? Step forward Rogério Ceni who scored (in his opinion) his 100th career goal in São Paulo’s 2-1 victory over Corinthians. Why do I say ‘in his opinion’? Because FIFA credits him with 98 goals, while he counts two he scored in unofficial friendlies. Either way, Brazilian Ceni is way out in front as the highest scoring goal keeper of all time.
