Sport | Football
Berbatov likely to prove a perfect fit
A few maverick showmen have found a natural home at Manchester United and Dimitar Berbatov can become a worthy successor to those who have graced Old Trafford before him.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:15 September 2, 2008
London: A few maverick showmen have found a natural home at Manchester United and Dimitar Berbatov can become a worthy successor to those who have graced Old Trafford before him.
The 27-year-old Bulgaria captain, who joined United after two memorable years at Tottenham Hotspur, should instantly win over United fans who have previously worshipped strikers like Denis Law, George Best and Eric Cantona.
Of more immediate concern is how Berbatov will gel with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in United's attack.
But he has so much skill and intelligence that the likelihood is he will do so easily in whatever combination of forward players manager Alex Ferguson deploys.
Berbatov has outstanding balance and control, is capable of devastating finishes and boasts the deftest of touches.
He displayed all those qualities in Tottenham's thrilling 6-4 Premier League win over Reading last December when he scored four times.
Among his goals was a superb shot on the turn, executed in a way that made it look simple when it was anything but, and he blasted home another shot that nearly took the net off its supports. In last season's League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, he equalised with a penalty that left the world's best goalkeeper Petr Cech helpless.
Intense pressure
The pressure on Berbatov to score was intense, yet he was the coollest man in the stadium and ended the afternoon wildly celebrating as Spurs won their first trophy for nine years.
Although his 46 goals in 102 matches made him a crowd favourite at White Hart Lane, Berbatov sometimes struggled to hide his frustration at playing in what was basically a mid-table side.
He often looked sulky and was clearly upset at having to sit out matches as first Martin Jol then his successor as coach Juande Ramos rotated their front lines.
Manchester United showed interest during the winter transfer window which seemed to unsettle him further and the champions were repeatedly linked with Berbatov again over the summer.
His agent Emil Dantchev let it be known that Berbatov would relish the chance of Champions League football again, something he experienced at his previous club Bayer Leverkusen but was unlikely to get at Spurs.
AC Milan were also interested but although Spurs originally attempted to keep him by valuing him at £30 million, United were not to be deterred and Berbatov's presence should only enhance their already formidable attack.
Factfile
- Born on January 30, 1981 in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
- Joins youth team of local Bulgarian side Pirin Blagoevgrad but at 17 is spotted by renowned coach Dimitar Penev and joins CSKA Sofia following in the footsteps of his father who played for both clubs.
- Wins the Bulgarian Cup in 1999 with CSKA scoring 14 goals in 27 matches that season and makes international debut against Greece.
- Joins German side Bayer Leverkusen in 2000.
- Establishes himself as Leverkusen's first-choice striker scoring 69 goals in 154 appearances for the club.
- Wins Bulgarian Footballer of the Year award in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007 when he also becomes Bulgaria captain. Has scored 41 times in 66 appearances for his country.
- Joins Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for £10.9 million ($20.75 million) in July 2006.
- Scores 46 goals in 102 appearances for Spurs over two seasons, helping them win the League Cup final in 2007-08 by converting a penalty in the 2-1 win over Chelsea.
- Joins Manchester United for £30.75 million on September 1.
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