Date: 2nd June 2011 at 10:45pm
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Berba gives us all a birthday present against the dippers

Berba gives us all a birthday present against the dippers

Skulking in the dressing room as his teammates were torn apart by the magnificent FC Barcelona, Dimitar Berbatov must have been wondering what he needed to do to earn a place in a Champions League final starting XI.

2011 was set to be the Bulgarian’s third Champions League final (he had previously come on as a late substitute in losses against Real Madrid and Barcelona) only for Ferguson’s bizarre squad decision to consign him to the role of watcher on.

With twenty goals, Berbatov was Manchester United’s top scorer, but crucially all twenty had come in the Premier League. United’s record signing hasn’t scored in Europe since a double in 2008 helped the Red Devils to a 3-0 victory over Celtic. However, even with that in mind, it is shocking that a player with only two goals in twelve months (and one of them in a meaningless game) should have taken Berbatov’s place on the bench.

While the rest of the players left out of the squad sat in seats just behind United’s dugout, Berbatov was nowhere to be found, rumor had it that he had left the stadium. Though post match it did come out that he had stayed in the dressing room, Berbatov’s future remained shrouded in mystery, and the club are still stalling on offering him a new contract.

I for one would be sad to see him leave. Over his three years at the club, Berbatov has supplied the Old Trafford faithful with a myriad of magical moments. Remember the turn and cross against West Ham, the bicycle against Liverpool and the magical five which tore apart Blackburn Rovers? Berbatov can be at times an enigma, a dividing force and a frustrated onlooker in games that he should be dominating, but no one can contest the quality of his skill and his poise.

Though he has a long way to go before reaching Cantona status, we must remember that the comparisons between the two are uncanny. Both possess a pair of magical feet, and the sort of arrogance which makes the World’s most difficult and technical game look like child’s play. Cantona came back from adversity after his kung fu kick, and did so with the full support of the fans. In return, the Frenchman brought yet more silverware back to Old Trafford, and we must trust that if Berbatov is given sufficient backing then he can do the same.

“I will fight for the twentieth title. There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. When you go through difficult times, you should not quit. Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4th.”

That statement embodies exactly why Berbatov is a fitting bearer of the Manchester United flag. While some would have sulked, cried and whined after being left out of such a massive game, Berbatov has come out with a message of redemption, a determination to prove himself, qualities inherent in Sir Alex Ferguson’s philosophy.

As top scorer, Berbatov was probably expecting inclusion in the squad, especially as the alternative was a man who had hardly had a look in all season. That expectation makes Berbatov’s humility all the more impressive, it is refreshing to see someone so  committed to the cause, someone willing to risk spending the final years of his career on the bench so as to prove himself as a Manchester United player.
Ever since sealing his thirty million pound move in 2008, Berbatov has maintained that he plays football for the pure joy of it, and to entertain. While the lanky Bulgarian has not managed to score thirty million pounds worth of goals, he certainly has managed to entertain.

I really can’t think of anything much more beautiful than Berbatov in full flow, gliding across the football pitch, keeping the ball glued to his feet with that immaculate touch of his. You can be sure that if at all possible Berbatov will make good on his word. Yes, he will fight on, and wouldn’t it just be quintessential United if he played a starring role in next year’s Champions League showpiece…

Read more of David’s work at In For The Hat Trick
 

26 responses to “Humble Berbatov Deserves A Second Chance”

  1. eltb99 says:

    I think Fergie is probably a bit matey with Owen. Maybe thought he’d give him a chance of winning a medal if he came on as sub. Not sure how it that works but Berba definitely deserved a place on the bench. I hope he stays I’m a bit perplexed at Owen getting another year although he is cheap where will he fit in?
    Wellbecks coming back along with diouf and cleverly, maybe Morrison may feature also and with Rooney and Chich where will owen get a look in?
    Maybe we’ll sell Rooney to fund some monster spending….. yeh right we aint gonna spend sweet fa. De gae and who else? No one probably

  2. TB9 says:

    he hasn’t been supported enough, or appreciated.. when cantona was at old trafford he found the appreciation of being ‘special’ from everyone, the boss, the fans, his team-mates, everyone. berba never got that, he does work differently that everyone else, probably in the whole league. he needs the support, he needs the appreciation. im not suggesting he’s reached the cantona level, not even merely close. but i say we need to start appreciating what he brings to our game, because he does bring a lot.

    • rutc says:

      yap I agree, berba not only made ​​21 goals this season, he gave a different color in our game. he can easily keep the ball in his feet because he has fantastic technique and composure. (I think he has the best ball control at Old Trafford, even one of the best in the world)
      Fergie mistake was that he forgot that berba and Chica are the two players with different styles, which can be used in different matches. Chica well against chelsea, but in no way against barca.
      maybe it’s time for Grandpa Ferguson to retire, he did not dare to display the attacking football against a great team and can only appreciate a certain player at united he likes, not all players
      lol

  3. C Butterworth says:

    Berbaotov is fantastic and has been treated disgracefully. Its an insult to put Owen on the bench. And what did Hernandez do – nothing. He is just a predator. Berbatov could have contributed so much more. His skill and touch are just exquisite and he is a real joy to watch.
    Off course Fergie is just a bully and what he wants he gets. Owen is his mate. Schoolboy stuff – just like the reaction to his son being sacked. Is he not old enough to fight his own battles. He devastated Preston taking the on loan players away immediately, but thats SAF for you. Not a nice man

  4. Billiam says:

    Its good to see other ppls appreciation for Berba. i as most expected so much from him at Man Utd and its been cringe-worthy to watch him struggle.. when we all know hes capable of such magic !
    Simply put; Dimitar Berbatov is silk on grass 😀 lacks consistency but when hes on it… well we know what happens !
    They got to at least sign Sneider and be uber cheeky and go for Bale or Modric jut to spice it up for once… but i still believe that a good passing unit in midfield with Dimi, could be beautiful
    Alas, they will probably sell him off for under 10mil and live to see him score against them in a big match, for a different team 😛

  5. Maribel says:

    I really enjoy watching “Mitko” play he is brilliant and elegant. Sir AF could have gotten a better result should he been included for the final. I Am SCREAMING SIGN HIM again, he should stay, agree with Butterworth about Hernandez, he did not do a thing, he is good but not ready for big and defining games. Really hope he will stay at MU for seasons to come, big on the Berba factor.

    Yram39

    • DavidYB says:

      I can certainly empathize Maribel, I just hope Fergie won’t replicate the Tevez situation and neglect to “sign up” a player well worthy of a squad spot.

      -David Yaffe-Bellany

  6. timbo says:

    Fergie is the kind of manager these days who would give the nod to Fletcher’s mongrel and drive over Xavi’s magic, Carrick’s lame percentage-eating defensive passing to Iniesta’s incisiveness – even Rooney’s mileage-eating play over Messi’s matchless talent. One wonders why Fergie ever blew 30 million on bringing Berbatov to Old Trafford, because he should have known EXACTLY what he was getting with the Bulgaian, yet he’s never shown the least interest in giving him anything like the kind of commitment, loyalty (or double standards) he’s shown towards Rooney, who isn’t fit to lace Berbatov’s shows when it comes to football ability. Barcelona showed in telling fashion that the very things Berbatov is often cited for, lacking speed and energy, are not in the least necessary to win games with ease. Only the English maintain a commitment to a physical and fast style of play that the rest of Europe, and Sth. America, has left behind. The football field is an artist’s canvas to some teams abroad, a chess board to others. Berbatov is a rare combination of both, plying tic-tac-toe on a field peopled by morons such as Rooney.

    In every way imaginable this season, Rooney showed himself to be a lout, both to his wife and in the manner he conducted himself with the team, on and off the field. He’s as much a disruption as Best was in his last year or two at Old Trafford, and as with Sir Matt, Fergie is making the same mistake of indulging the supposed ‘star player’ in order to placate him and keep him on for the sake of his last glory days at the club prior to handing over the management reins.

    Berbatov by comparison has been a class act all season, played some beautiful football, scoring the goal of the season with his gloriously controlled bicycle kick against Liverpool (as against the fluky and miscued shot off the shin scored by Rooney against City) and essentially showing himself to be the form forward in the EPL up until Fergie decided to indulge his double standards by plumping for Rooney in partnership with Chicharito when form should have dictated otherwise. The Bulgarian should, and would, have scored in excess of thirty goals had he been treated fairly, but fell victim a manager’s hypocrisy. This should have been Berba’s season, and would have been had Fergie shown anything like the kind of commitment and indulgence given to Rooney. Make no mistake, United suffered for that pandering and blind loyalty, not least because United would have been far better off with Berbatov’s artistry and vision in the CL final, had he been given the season to bed down and become the focus of the attack. He deserved as much after the way the season took off.

    Truth to say, Berbatov’s spiritual home as a player was with the side United faced that day – Berba would have been a revelation over the last three years with the Catalan club. Instead he’s served as a punchline at United to the joke that is Wayne Rooney.

    • Yurii says:

      Excellent comment.
      Biased manager decisions almost ruined Berbatov’s season. I’m glad someone is finally calling things by their right names.
      Amicus Plato sed magis amica veritas.

  7. united4evra says:

    Berba has been great for United this season. SAF treating him like dirt left a bitter taste in my mouth.

  8. J.Bosworth says:

    he scored 14 goals and 9 assits first season playing alongside ronaldo and rooney and tevez. that alone is worth the 30 million dont worry. second season 12 goals and 6 assists when united was playing for rooney. third season 21 goals 6 assists. Cantona did what, win four epl titles and two fa cups. that may be considered a lot but Berbatov won two epl titles, two fa cups (one with tottenham) and has reached the CL final three times and that doesnt just happen. he played a role in every one of them. if u ask me which team played better against shalke it was the second one. chicharito can run but cant make anything creative, thus why he did not score against barca. Ferguson did not play Berbatov because he is a moody prick with a lot of power in his hands. When someone acquires such huge power, he starts thinking hes a god and the only way hell win over barca is thanks to his tactical genius. He forgot where he came from and doesnt realize what a pathetic being he has become.

    • shrxzynski says:

      “chicharito can run but cant make anything creative, thus why he did not score against barca.”
      -i was goin to say this.

  9. Ez says:

    I feel sorry for him. Sentiments aside tell me of one player in the league beautiful to watch? No player on that Final’s could keep the ball on their legs. Berbatov could have done that. How him and Nani have been treated is just shocking! And they are the only two players in our team who got the magic touch and keep possession.
    There is no more vitange in our team no more.

  10. Jonathan says:

    Great to see berba get the backing of fans. In my view ferguson is a bully, there is no footballing logic as to why he has treated this way, most fans appreciate berba, I travel over From Dublin regularly and love to see him play. When you look at some of the very ordinary players in our squad to risk alienating class like berba is pure stupid. On the cl final barca were great but our management and their decisions were awful, giggs and Scholes at combined age of 73 on the pitch together against their midfield was outrageous fletcher who was never fit enough to play on the bench with Michael Owen while one of our most gifted players sat in the dressing room in tears, ferguson should be ashamed of himself, but I imagine he has convinced himself and anyone who cares to listen he did it for all the right reasons,well I’ll never be convinced of that