Berbatov the real deal

Tuesday, 06/10/2009

Since signing for United, Dimitar Berbatov has hardly set Old Trafford alight. The often-brilliant Bulgarian has shown only glimpses of his silky skill and hasn’t hit the net as much as you’d expect for £30m worth of international striker.
But, there are now signs that Dimitar is beginning enjoy the platform of the Theatre of Dreams.
There seems to be an obsession amongst the media and football fans to compare new signings to previous greats. United fans are no different and living up to former Old Trafford legends must a very daunting task.
For decades, any young flying winger was labelled the ‘new George Best’, every keeper to inherit the number one jersey following Peter Schmeichel’s departure was scrutinised within an inch of their life. And tough-tackling midfielders were dubbed as Bryan Robson’s ‘long-term’ replacement.
Many players have revelled in these challenges, with Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar and Roy Keane all adding impressive chapters to their predecessors’ legend. But for every one of these heroes, there has been a career casualty. Roy Carroll wasn’t up to the task of commanding United’s goal, Eric Djemba-Djemba was not the new Keane and the inconsistent Nani does not appear to have the ability to fill even one of Ronaldo’s boots.
One player who initially suffered from comparisons to the most popular Red of all time, before winning the supporters round was Teddy Sheringham. The former England striker arrived in the wake of the great Eric Cantona’s departure.
Often made the scapegoat for the team’s deficiencies as they struggled to adapt to living without Eric, Teddy’s style lacked Cantona’s bombastic, box office presence but he shared the same intelligence and subtlety. Like Cantona, he had to vision to surgically slice open a defence and the knack of scoring important goals.
After several frustrating seasons, Sheringham showed he was born to wear the red shirt when he scored that vital Champions League Final goal in 1999. During 2000-01he finished as the Premier League’s top scorer, helped United win the title and claimed the PFA Player of the Year award.         
Berbatov, like Sheringham, arrived from Spurs and has also been compared to Cantona. His goals against Wigan and Sunderland were Cantona-esque as was his classy creative master class against Wolfsburg. Berba needs to make it count in the biggest games, though and put away some of the easier chances.
In the absence of Ronaldo, United need to player with the ability to make the Stretford End purr with just one flick of his boot.  With every perfectly cushioned first touch, defence unlocking back heel and spectacular overhead kick, Dimitar Berbatov is starting to look like the real deal.

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