Is Dimitar a flop for Manchester United?

[AleG]

Following a second consecutive loss in the Premier League and an unconvincing second leg against Internazionale Milan, one wonders why the Champions of England, Europe and the World are not showing their best, compared to the period last season, especially now that the team is blessed with a healthy squad.

The main concerns are the players who will miss matches due to their red cards. However, their punishment is due to temper brought by a lack of concentration or opportunities to win matches.

But the demeanor of the remaining players on field is addressed this time. The away fixture against Fulham showed 2 red-carded-players yielding a poor performance for the entire team. As this site is dedicated to Dimitar Berbatov, we have to examine his performances in a magnifying glass for the sake of entertainment.

It is my personal opinion that the minute Scholes was expelled and the penalty converted, Dimitar’s mind travelled elsewhere. He might have touched the ball twice in the remaining 20 minutes as he showed no effort at all to fight for the result (the last 7 he was injured). I have no doubt of his quality but I am beginning to wonder if he is Manchester United’s champion material. He seems to shine when everything is going United’s way. But when it is time for the stellar players to carry the team, he sometimes goes missing. I just think the record breaking fee should motivate him to give his 100% in every match and rescue the team with his goals or assists.

I have to say I was very disappointed to see him walking and barely touching the ball in that hellish first half against Fulham. He did not seem to care at all, at least in the TV transmission in this side of the world. He should have overcompensated for Scholes' dismissal, instead he did the opposite.

I will use this discussion thread to post reports from other blogs or news sites about Dimitar’s performance for that match and analysis of his six months in the team. For what I have read, it is not encouraging.

What do you think of Dimitar’s performance in the away fixture against Fulham? Six months after his signing, do you think he is a flop?

[AleG]

Following the loss at the away fixture vs Fulham, The Mirror published an article stating that Dimitar must be dropped if Manchester United intends to retain the Premier League title. Columnist Stan Collymore says:

It wouldn't surprise me if Sir Alex, the quality manager that he is, makes some heads roll. A prime candidate for the axe must be the club's £30million record signing Dimitar Berbatov. The sulky Bulgarian striker came off at half-time after failing to make much of an impression. I will give Berbatov a little slack as it is possible the former Spurs star picked up a knock. But I still think he lacks the ability of Eric Cantona. People were raving about him being the next Cantona, but he doesn't have the ability to stamp his authority on a game like the Frenchman. I am not convinced Berbatov has what it takes to push United on in the Champions League or Premier League. And bringing him off at half-time may show Sir Alex is losing faith as well.

Read the entire article in,

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/03/23/why-manchester-un...
Why Manchester United must drop star flops like Berbatov to win title
By Stan Collymore 23/03/2009

[AleG]

There is a rumor about Dimitar joining Internazionale Milan. It was said that Vidic talked to some representatives of Inter in Milan, but Vidic said they just discussed lightly on his performance for ManUtd. However, the rumor is about Dimitar joining Ibrahimovic in the Italian front side. This rumor is fueled by ill feelings from United’s fans toward Dimitar after the Fulham defeat. This is what Footy Latest have to say about Dimitar performance:

There is growing discontent at Old Trafford at the lack of effort from the Bulgarian when United do not have the ball and despite Man Utd trying cover up his removal from the Fulham game at half time as an injury concern it was because he was playing like a clown.

The fact that he has an injury may well account for his poor showing against Fulham but not in the majority of games that he has played in, it is common knowledge that other Man Utd players are frustrated with his lack of effort and by all accounts his manager is now unhappy with him.

Berbatov has also annoyed his national team fans with the press ripping him to pieces in his native country over his lackadaisical attitude towards playing, unless the ball is at his feet he basically makes no effort.

Read the entire rumor in,

http://footylatest.com/news/news.php?extend.3513
Inter interested in Man Utd flop

[AleG]

Chris Dowding, a writer for the Bleacher Report, posted an analysis of the first six months of Dimitar in Manchester United, following the Fulham dreadful match. He writes:

“Berbatov, a player of grace and poise, who had scored goals for Spurs of such a high quality, would only improve the Old Trafford outfit, surely.

Fast forward six months, and the reality is far different from the heady ideals of September.

So far, United supporters have seen precious little of the abundant flair that made Berbatov such a threat at White Hart Lane. Allied to that, would be the apparent lack of effort and heart shown by the Bulgarian.

Eight goals in 28 games does not represent a good return from a player who cost his employers over £30 million.

But it is not that which has disappointed Manchester United supporters. It is his almost unwillingness to get involved, to fight for the team, to look even remotely interested in what is happening around him.

There can be no doubting his talent, and he has turned it on in the United colours; a piece of skill against West Ham to set up a goal for [Cristiano Ronaldo] almost defied belief, but he has not produced enough…

Throw Berbatov into the mix and this no longer happens. In much the same way as when Ruud van Nistelrooy was at Old Trafford, United have a spearhead for the attack, a fixed point that they can focus on and aim for.

Van Nistelrooy was, as is well documented a "box-player", but his goal return was quite incredible. If Berbatov had produced such a return, there would be no qualms about him, but the fact of the matter is, he hasn't…

Berbatov seems disinterested. He often looks as though he may be strolling around with a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.

Rather than not yet justifying his vast transfer fee and wages, it is this that will turn supporters against him.

Yet all is not lost for Berbatov.

His style of play is certainly different to any other player at Sir Alex Ferguson's disposal, and a player with his talent will surely produce on some level soon enough...

His second season will be telling. If he doesn't adapt—and make no mistake, he needs to adapt to the team and their style of play, not the other way round—then it could be said that his signing is a big money flop in the Juan Sebastien Veron mould.

On the other hand, if he finally finds his rhythm within the team and produces performances that justify not only his transfer fee but continued presence in the starting line up, then Manchester United will once again be the attacking force they have been over the last three years.

But more than anything, if Berbatov can find it within himself to give more to the team, to offer himself for more passes, to make runs that leave space for others, to chase the lost causes then he will have the whole of Old Trafford behind him.”

Read the complete article in,

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/144056-the-curious-case-of-dimit...
The Curious Case of Dimitar Berbatov
Chris Dowding; March 24, 2009.

[lars laser]

Berbatov u nonchalant ****! Your jersey will burn tonight!

[AleG]

Continuing with the plan of uploading others opinions, I still have plenty of articles discussing Dimitar's season for Manchester United. Today, it is from Goal.com, a site that normally reports player ratings. They evaluated his season right after the defeats at hand of Liverpool and Fulham; before he got injured this month.

"Berbatov: B-

After his big-money move, the jury remains out on Dimitar Berbatov for a number of United’s fans. The Bulgarian has made a steady start in a Red shirt, ousting Carlos Tevez to cement himself as the regular starter alongside Wayne Rooney in attack. He has scored 13 goals in 33 games – a steady, if not spectacular return. Often, when things are going badly, Berbatov can be an easy scapegoat due to his more relaxed style of play, as unlike Rooney and Tevez, you won’t see him charging down defenders and chasing lost causes – but that simply isn’t his game. A full judgement on Berbatov can be made more easily at the end of the campaign. Will he fire United to more trophies?"

Read the original article and reviews for the other new youngsters in ManUtd squad in,

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/03/31/1183606/trans...
Transfer Report Card: How Good Were Manchester United’s Signings?
31 Mar 2009

[AleG]

There is another article published at the beginning of April, just after the two consecutive defeats (Liverpool and Fulhman) and Dimitar's ankle injury was public.

Paul Ince, former Manchester United player and Blackburn Rovers manager for the beginning of this season, wrote for the Manchester Evening News then:

"On his performances for Spurs, any club manager in the Premier League would have been delighted to have Berbatov. And which manager wouldn't have wanted Robinho - the jewel in the crown of a Brazilian national side packed out with world-class players?

Why Berbatov has served up his undoubted talents in small measures for the Reds is a mystery I can't explain. Not for one moment do I accept the criticisms of him being idle, indifferent and a player with a couldn't-care-less attitude. However much you cost, you wouldn't last five minutes in a team managed by Fergie if you had any one of those flaws.

But there can be no doubt that the languid Bulgarian wants to play football HIS way, and from what I've seen so far, his way isn't United's way.

My belief is Berbatov wants to play football with his brain rather than his body. There is nothing wrong with that - the brain is the fastest thing on a football pitch - but there are times when a player has to get his hands dirty.

Fergie likens the Bulgarian to Eric Cantona, and I can see the similarities. But there is one big difference - when the going got tough, Cantona rolled up his sleeves and ran himself into the ground. When the going has got tough for the Reds this season, Berbatov has gone AWOL.

He needs to accept that, at United, it's Fergie's way or the highway. If he takes that on board, he has the ability to become a major player. If he doesn't, he could become the most expensive flop in English football."

Read the complete article and an assessment of Robinho's impact for Manchester City in,

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/s/1106680_pau...
Paul Hince column
April 04, 2009

[AleG]

Now, the analysis of a former Manchester United Manager and commentator for the BBC: Tommy Docherty.

“Berbatov has been an absolute disaster. If it was up to me, I’d have dumped him months ago. The guy could get injured on A Question of Sport! He’s so dour and doesn’t seem interested. He should look at Carlos Tevez and see the way he always grafts to win the ball back. I’m sure someone will want to buy him in the summer – and United would cut the hand off anybody who offers near £30m... The young lad [Macheda] is only 17 but looks to be ten times the player that Berbatov is!”

Those comments were broadcast by the BBC Manchester hours before the infamous penalty. Read the complete article in,

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/77332/Doc-orders-Alex-to-f...
DOC ORDERS ALEX TO FLOG BERBA
Harry Pratt; 19th April 2009

[Lex]

Mitko is the same player but the team is different, he does not suit the MU way of playing. He is not lazy, and you have to ask why Ferguson plays him in the position he does..... sometimes a player clicks in a club and with certain players, sadly it does not seem to be happening at MU - it has nothing to do with him being a poor player.

I would have him back at Spurs with Keane in heatbeat :)

[Georgi Georgiev]

Why don't You (Man U funs) sell Berbatov and to buy a smiling tractor? It may accelerate the attack of the team! Did You know the statistic of the Man U players for the season? And did You know that there is other football, not only English? Did You find Yourself more clever that Sir Alex? And have You kicked the ball at least once with Your second left leg?

[AleG]

So Georgi, if we are not professional footballers, we are not allowed to have an opinion?

Lex, I think Dimitar needs to realize he has to put much more effort. He wanted to play for the European Champions, he must understand that his 100% at Tottenham is not enough at ManUtd. Like the saying goes: "he was a big fish in a pond, he is a medium size fish in the ocean".

Now, the opinion of Sunday Telegraph correspondent for the Premier League: Duncan White. He writes,

"Talk about an overreaction. Dimitar Berbatov misses a penalty and suddenly he is the most deplorable player to have pulled on a Manchester United shirt.

First, let's deal with the immediate issue of the penalty itself. Do people honestly believe that Berbatov could not be bothered to try and score his penalty? It is surely obvious what he was trying to do - commit the goalkeeper before rolling it in. Tim Howard holds his ground a moment longer than Berbatov anticipated and the Bulgarian is made to look foolish. But it takes guts to try and use skill and technique to score a penalty - certainly more guts than just a head-down blast. Of course, if it doesn't come off, it is humiliating. We don't like players trying to be clever. Better to miss honestly. What if, after his stuttering run-up, Nemanja Vidic had hit his shot wide (it wasn't far off)? If Berbatov had rolled it in with Howard committed, everyone would have celebrated his coolness, his composure, just like they used to when Dwight Yorke or Paolo di Canio sent in their famous, if risky, chipped penalties. Why is Tim Cahill not being criticised for his hit-and-hope blast over the bar? As ever, history belongs to the victors.

The second, more serious issue, is how Berbatov's game is more generally perceived. I'm sure those United supporters who have turned on Berbatov would have been more forgiving if they felt he was pulling his weight on the field. The missed penalty, it could be argued, was simply the last straw.

Well, Berbatov has not done as well as anticipated this season but 13 goals is far from a disastrous return, especially considering the problems he has had with injury. He cost a lot of money - just over £30million - and Alex Ferguson will doubtless want more from him next campaign. However, his style of play is never going to change. His languid manner on the ball can make it frustrating when he is tackled or gives the ball away - but it is also the very reason he has become one of the best strikers in the world. Defenders find his liquid movement difficult to read, especially the way he changes pace explosively. He has tended to drift too deep since moving to Old Trafford but, like Teddy Sheringham, he can be very clever in working the space - even if it is just by standing still. He privileges technique over power. The problem is it can look downright lazy - and there is no bigger crime for English football fans than a lack of effort. There will always be players who have this image problem - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mark Viduka, Kanu, even Gerald Sibon (remember him?) - but it does not mean that they are not trying. Perhaps Berbatov's biggest problem since his transfer to United is that of context: playing next to the hyper-energetic Carlos Tevez or Wayne Rooney can make anyone look lazy.

There are valid reasons for criticising players - Berbatov did not cover himself in glory by refusing to play for Tottenham in trying to force through his move to United - but missing a penalty is not one of them."

Read the original article in,

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/duncanwhite/blog/2009/04/21/in_defence...
In defence of Dimitar Berbatov
Duncan White at Apr 21, 2009

[Lex]

AleG said:

So Georgi, if we are not professional footballers, we are not allowed to have an opinion?

Lex, I think Dimitar needs to realize he has to put much more effort. He wanted to play for the European Champions, he must understand that his 100% at Tottenham is not enough at ManUtd. Like the saying goes: "he was a big fish in a pond, he is a medium size fish in the ocean".


AleG I think the perception of MU fans and maybe yourself is wrong - I think he does put the effort in, he is natually languid to look at, that is the way he is, you cannot change the way your body looks, his football brain is phenomenal and his movement and ability to find space from nowhere are the things the fans should take on board. I wish him success but dont beleive he will be at MU too long because of this perception :(

[CROOK]

no 14 goals first season dosent sound like a flop to me