Brilliant Berbatov

Tuesday, 21/09/2010

Sunday finally saw the coronation of the latest king of Old Trafford, as Dimitar Berbatov scored a spectacular and crucial hat-trick in Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over their great rivals, Liverpool.

Berbatov’s rise to fans’ favourite has been two years in the making after the former Bulgaria international joined the Manchester giants in a club record £30.75m transfer fee from Spurs on the 2008 August transfer deadline day. 

Dimitar turned down Manchester City’s advances that summer, determined to make the grade at England’s biggest club.

With such a huge price tag came massive pressure as many expected Berbatov to instantly slip into match-winning brilliance, scoring stunning and important goals, linking up play and performing with the swagger that United fans had become accustomed to over the years.

However, the former Bayer Leverkusen man took a little longer to settle and, after enjoying a role as the focal point of a solid Spurs team, he struggled to adapt to being one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s supporting cast in his first season in Manchester.

One of the problems has been that Berbatov’s effortless ability has actually appeared effortless to certain sections of the United support at times, with his languid and laidback manner being misconstrued for laziness and a lack of desire. 

His style was in stark contrast to the hustling and bustling displays of strike partners like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez and stood out when United lost possession and moves broke down. 

When analysed more closely, though, the workrate and distance covered by the Bulgarian compared favourably to many of his team-mates.

Previous kings of Old Trafford have included 1960s goalscoring hero Denis Law and of course modern-day legend, Eric Cantona. 

Berbatov has been compared to the flamboyant Frenchman since he arrived at United, but the start of his third season in a red shirt is the first time he seems ready to bear the burden of inheriting that particular title.

Seven goals in six Premier League games have seen United’s number nine cruise to the top of the goalscoring charts. 

Had United’s defence held out at Everton and Fulham, his goals would’ve also played a major role in an impressive 100 per cent start to the season. 

Slide rule finishes against the Toffees, Newcastle and West Ham, as well as improved overall performances, have confirmed his status as match-winner.

The 29-year-old’s form, as well as the emergence of Luis Nani as a consistent attacking threat, has helped ease the burden on Rooney’s shoulders at a time when the young England striker has certainly needed it. 

The two first-choice strikers still appear to building an understanding, but when Rooney hits top form, likely to be in the next few weeks, he and Berbatov have the potential to be United’s most potent strikeforce since Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in 1999. 

The Red Devils famously won a treble of the league, FA Cup and Champions League that year and inspiring United to a similar achievement this season would be the crown and glory of Old Trafford’s latest king. 

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