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]

Days after the infamous penalty, some journalists took the time to show Dimitar's effectiveness in terms of statistics. Matthew Syed, Sports Journalist of the Year 2008, wrote for Times Online:

"For those who insist on seeing the world in such terms, allow me to give you the stats on Dimitar Berbatov’s first season at Manchester United. He has scored 13 goals in all competitions; eight goals in 27 matches in the Barclays Premier League; he has had eight assists; has a shooting accuracy of close to 50 per cent; and a chance conversion rate of 20 per cent. Many argue that these numbers provide conclusive proof that the Bulgarian, for a player who cost the small matter of £30.75 million, has had a woeful season.

Now, I don’t know about you, but while I find these statistics interesting and, in their way, enlightening, I also think that they fail to convey the essential meaning of Berbatov’s contribution. They fail, for example, to convey the artistry of his volley through a packed penalty area against Middlesbrough in December; they fail to describe the elegance of his take and pull-back for Carlos Tévez to score against Liverpool in September.

Most important of all, they fail to convey the audacity of his lightning turn and intuitive flick past James Collins, the West Ham United defender, and his cut-back for Cristiano Ronaldo to score in October, arguably the most audacious, revelatory and intricate piece of creativity all season.

Sure, football is about results and instances of individual brilliance must be seen, to an extent, in that context. But even the most zealous statistician must also concede that results have to matter to people. We have to care. We have to want to travel across the nation to watch our teams in action. And it is players such as Berbatov — his individuality, his elegance and, yes, his neuroses — who make football matter to so many of us.

This is about more than sport; it is about life. Sir Alex Ferguson, for all his ruthlessness and single-mindedness, has always acknowledged the aesthetic dimension; he has always recognised that football is about more than the scoreline at the end of 90 minutes or the points tally at the end of the season.

...

And that is why Ferguson will persist with Berbatov. An old and wily fox, he will ponder the sometimes damning statistics and will even experience pangs of anxiety when reflecting upon his forward’s infuriating unwillingness to track back and tendency to spend huge chunks of time swathed in anonymity.

But then the old boy will remember those life-affirming detonations of genius and his granite heart will soften, and he will reach for the teamsheet to scrawl the Bulgarian’s name at the top of the page once again. "

Read the complete article in,

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/matthew_syed/arti...
Dimitar Berbatov defies statistics for Manchester United
April 22, 2009; Matthew Syed

[AleG]

The Telegraph also contributed with some statistics to show Dimitar's performance through the season. This article is written by Giles Mole, who acknowledges the fans lack of faith, previous managers public statements and Ferguson's backing. He writes:

"Berbatov is not slacking.

During his time at White Hart Lane, Berbatov made 70 Premier League appearances, with a goals-per-game ratio of 0.39. He had a shooting accuracy of 54 per cent and a chance conversion of 16 per cent.

Compare that to his first season at Old Trafford. He has so far made 27 league appearances, with a goals-per-game ratio of 0.30, a shooting accuracy of 54 and a chance conversion of 21.

So far quite similar. But it is his overall team play that shows a marked improvement. In 70 league games for Tottenham he only made 18 assists compared with the eight he has already made with United.

His cross completion percentage is also higher, as is his tackling and passing."

Team	Tottenham	Manchester United
Appearances	70	27
Goals	27	8
Goals per game	0.39	0.30
Shots on target	89	21
Shots off target	76	18
Shots per game	2.4	1.4
Shooting acuracy	54%	54%
Chance conversion	16%	21%
Goal assists	18	8
Chances created per match	1.53	1.78
Pass completion %	67%	77%
Pass % opp. half	65%	75%
Cross completion %	11%	29%
Tackles won %	75%	84%

Read the complete article in,

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/man...
Manchester United fans' criticism of 'lethargic' Dimitar Berbatov wide of the mark
By Giles Mole; 21 Apr 2009

[AleG]

The next article comes from Manchester Evening News, a site which reports everything about Manchester and the club, including player ratings. Stuart Mathieson acknowledges the polarity in opinions. He wrote:

"Berbatov has polarised the United support since signing minutes before midnight as the summer transfer window closed. He is like Marmite: either you like him or you don't.

The bulk of the Reds fans still do not seem to have acquired the taste for the Bulgarian.

The latest batch of online contributions suggest he is another Old Trafford flop like Juan Sebastian Veron, that he is not up to United's standard.

The Bulgarian's critics have demanded he pulls his finger out and his contribution in his first season for the Reds is not good enough for a club record signing.

His penalty has been variously described among Reds supporters as being pathetic, cocky, arrogant and irresponsible.

Conversely, pro-Berba posts believe he will still play an important part in the campaign run-in.

Time and again criticism of Berbatov comes back to his work-rate.

He isn't a heart on his sleeve performer like Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez. His hair is slicked back with gel and not the sweat of his endeavours.

But that is exactly why Fergie fought to the last seconds to prise him from Tottenham last summer.
...
There were enough Duracell bunnies in his attack, with the effervescent Rooney and Tevez, that won the Premier League and European Cup double last season.

The Old Trafford boss believed he needed a class act to hold the ball up and bring other players into play with touch and panache.
...
So Fergie knew what he was buying when he pursued Berbatov. He monitored the Bulgarian's progress at CSKA Sofia and Bayer Leverkusen.

Berbatov's goal return has also been cause for concern. He has 13 in 33 matches and only twice in his 11-year career has he recorded fewer strikes.

However, he still has a slightly better strike rate than Cantona had in his first season at Old Trafford."

Read the entire article in,

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_un...
Berbatov: Wonder or waster?
Stuart Mathieson; April 21, 2009

[AleG]

The view of former United hitman Dion Dublin - who played at Old Trafford between 1992-94 - also appeared in the Manchester Evening News:

[Dublin] believes the languid hit man does himself few favours when it comes to winning over his critics.

And he admits he would have torn shreds out of the Bulgarian international had he played with him at United.

"He comes across as frustrating," said Dublin. "I'd be frustrated with a player like that. But sometimes you have to leave a player like that to do things in their own way.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd scream at him if he was in my team. If I was his captain, I'd be seething, but then he does something special and you realise that's why you bought him.

"There are certain players that you have to let get on with it. And he is one of those players who has the quality to take the league by storm."

Ferguson fought to the dying moments of the transfer window to land Berbatov last September, with City bidding to hijack the deal.


Read the complete article in,

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_un...
Berbatov's battle stations
Stuart Mathieson; April 24, 2009

[AleG]

David Pleat, a writer for The Guardian and commentator for ITV, gives his opinion on both Dimitar and Tévez. Of Dimitar he writes the following:

“The commentator speaks about Berbatov's "sublime touch as he controls the ball in a trice and is aware of all around him". You sense there is an arrogance to Berbatov yet it is because the game comes so easily to him that he gives the impression of being less than committed, as his languid movement invites accusations of a lazy streak. That is simply his style – rather than charge around, he drifts into positions and touches the ball off to colleagues in the narrowest of spaces. He is a natural goalscorer who can climb and direct aerial balls pumped out of defence with nonchalant ease. A craftsman does not often play the busy bee; he waits for the chance to use his skill and then pounces.

Berbatov is not a player who revels in the physical challenge of the game but he is strong and holds the ball up as the team's "pin man" to await support. Every side needs this type of front man to keep possession for those vital seconds and allow his midfield and back players to move up in support. But Sir Alex Ferguson has often dropped him a little deeper, posing the opposition's second centre-back the dilemma of how far he follows to mark him. That makes him an awkward opponent.

Similarly, one cannot argue with Berbatov's goal return. Tottenham Hotspur signed him on the strength of his high goalscoring ratio for both Bayer Leverkusen and the Bulgarian national side. Since moving to United he has managed 14 goals in 32 starts, but it is control and confidence in his touch that remain the hallmarks of his game. Comparisons were drawn with Eric Cantona when Berbatov moved from White Hart Lane but the Frenchman moved around more, seeking the ball from colleagues before probing with his passes or moving strongly in possession.”

You can read the full article and his opinion on Tévez in,

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/may/05/manchester-unit...
Berbatov and Tevez bring abundance of quality to Manchester United
David Pleat; Tuesday 5 May 2009

[AleG]

Setanta Sports, with website presence and match broadcast, put together statistic of the performance of Tévez and Dimitar. But this time, the statistics are from both players first season at Manchester United. Tévez performance is measured for last season 2007/2008 in which he was part of an effective front three: Cristiano, Rooney and Tévez. It is fair to say that Cristiano carried the bulk of the front line as he scored 42 goals. Dimitar performance is measured this season as it is apparent that Ferguson prefers him over Tévez; then the front three are: Cristiano, Rooney and Dimitar. Their conclusions are as follows:

“One of the most obvious differences between Tevez and Berbatov is in what they do in front of goal. Last season, Tevez managed almost twice as many shots in The Premier League as Berbatov has so far, scoring 14 goals to the former Spurs man’s nine, though he had a tendency to convert fewer of his efforts into goal.

However, Berbatov has instead excelled in another area, making nine assists this season so far to Tevez’s six, on top of this making significantly more key passes.

Interestingly, this comes despite the Argentinian having a higher passing accuracy. In terms of linking with his two partners up front, it could be argued that the Bulgaria international is having more success than ex-Hammer Tevez.

Last season, Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez created a combined total of 132 chances for their team-mates, whereas already this season, with Berbatov replacing Tevez, the trio has created 177 chances, implying that they may have forged a stronger understanding with the 28-year old in their midst.

One accusation often leveled at Berbatov is that his work-rate is not as high as Tevez’s and certainly the respective number of tackles they have made would seem to agree with this. However it should not be forgotten that Ferguson’s new front man has made more interceptions, passes and touches per 90 minutes than the Argentine last season, underlining his role as a link-striker.”

To read the statistics in a table comparing every aspect go to:

http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/Football/2009/05/15/Opta-on-Teve...
Tevez or Berbatov? Opta investigate
Chris Maxsted, 15 May 2009

[AleG]

The Mirror rated the United players considering their performance thought the 2008/2009 Premier League season. This is what the writer Martin Lipton has to say about Dimitar:

"Dimitar Berbatov 6
29 starts, 2 subs, 9 goals
The Old Trafford fans might prefer Tevez but the statistics tell who the manager rates. Berbatov will never be a team player but he is a class act. Needs to score more next term."

To read how he rates other players, like Tévez, Rooney and Cristiano go to

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/18/31-heroes-115875-...
Manchester United player ratings for the 2008/09 Premer League season
By Martin Lipton 18/05/2009

[Lizzie D]

I dont in any way think he is a flop!
He hasnt been given the right time to shine!
He moved from spurs to the greatest team on the planet, he needs to adjust to the likes of play from rooney and ronaldo!
We all know he is well capable to play as good if not better than them but with the whole Tevez thing it been tough on him, he's been slated from the fans because they all feel Tevez is better!
Me i know Berbatov is better than Tevez and im behind him 100% all the time!!

Next season we will see a whole new player =)

[AleG]

Keeping up with the analysis of Dimitar’s season, Telegraph’s blogger Rob Kelly rated him as the second worst signing of the season. He considers that last season’s best signings where Schwarzer (Fulham), Arshavin (Arsenal), Faye (Stoke), Palacios (Tottenham) and Fellaini (Everton). In contrast, the worst signings were Bentley (Tottenham), Berbatov (ManUtd), Bullard (Hull), Coloccini (Newcastle) and Quaresma (Chelsea). About Dimitar, he writes:

“The Bulgarian may have scored more goals that Stoke’s Dave Kitson (then again who hasn’t?), but he edges out the former Reading striker because he cost six times as much, and has made a similarly negligible impact for his new club. Expected to add an extra dimension to Sir Alex Ferguson’s attacking trident, Berbatov only actually appears to have created headaches for the United boss, all for a great value price of just £30.75million. Bargain.”

Read his opinion of the others in

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/robkelly/9942868/Five_best_and_w...
Five best and worst signings of the season
Rob Kelly. June 1st, 2009

[AleG]

I still have other two analyses for Dimitar’s season 2008/09 performance. This time is from a former United striker: Teddy Sheringham. Sheringham came to Old Trafford in 1997 as a replacement for Eric Cantona. Like Dimitar, Sheringham also scored 14 goals in his first campaign. At that time, Ferguson later brought Dwight York for a record breaking fee. However, Sheringham managed to become a United great, taking part of the 1999 treble winning team. He says:

“He is an outstanding player. Sometimes it takes people longer to fit in at a club in terms of the lifestyle and the football, which is probably what’s happened to him. But I’ve watched him and I’ve every confidence he will be even better next season. I’ve seen him be outstanding for Tottenham and I’m sure he will be again. I was very similar to Berbatov in terms of the way I looked as a player. I didn’t look like I was running around either. But just because he is not like a Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez doesn’t mean he doesn’t work. Whether or not he’s compared to Cantona won’t make any difference at all. Whatever club you go to you will be replacing someone. And when you leave, someone will replace you. You put pressure on yourself, but as long as you do your best, hopefully that will be enough. You have to keep faith in your own ability and know that you are a good player.”

Read the entire article in

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_un...
Sheringham jumps to Berbatov defence
James Robson
June 03, 2009

[AleG]

The official Manchester United website has posted reviews for all the players, including Dimitar. As their match reports, their reviews are also kind, looking at the bright side. This is part of what they posted about him:

"Berbatov's skill soon caught the eye following his deadline-day switch from Tottenham, and it wasn't long before he opened his account with a Champions League brace at Aalborg. Just as a certain mercurial Frenchman could change the flow of a game, United’s Bulgarian is equally effective. And, like Eric Cantona, he shares a knack for scoring important (often late) goals, as Middlesbrough and Bolton found out to their cost midway through the season. Berba really hit his stride around the New Year, with four goals in six league games, including that last-gasp header at the Reebok and a key goal against Chelsea in the 3-0 win. He also netted in the dramatic comeback against Spurs at Old Trafford in April...

Season highlight: Who could forget his sumptuous piece of skill against West Ham? With little room on the byline, he stopped the ball with his left foot, pirouetted and flicked it over James Collins’ challenge with his right. He then fed a perfect pass across the box for Ronaldo to slide the ball home.

Vital contribution: At the end of a week in which he missed a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shoot-out against Everton, he tormented his previous club with a dazzling display at OT. He played a part in two of United’s first four goals, before bundling home the fifth.

Any lows? Perhaps a spur to his stellar January, a virus kept Berba from playing any part in the Club World Cup, a period he described as ‘the worst week of my life’. "

Read the complete review in

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={6DDFCB6E-3471-4E45-9385-...
08/09 Review: Berbatov
09/06/2009 07:07