Today, Dimitar Berbatov celebrates his 31st birthday, but even as he enters the twilight of his career, the Bulgarian has plenty left to offer Manchester United.
Reports in January linked Berbatov with a move away from Old Trafford, although it now appears he will remain at the club for at least another six months. Some fans are ready to see the striker depart, but his continued presence in the squad can only be positive.
Berbatov has divided opinion among United supporters since his record-breaking £30.75 million move from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2008. Some label him brilliant for his majestic touch and ability to score spectacular goals. Others dismiss him as lazy and too inconsistent in front of goal. While both sides present valid arguments, the pros outweigh the cons.
Despite being the club’s leading scorer last season and joint-recipient of the Premier League Golden Boot, Berbatov started the 2011-12 campaign as the fourth-choice striker at United. It was only in December that Berbatov was provided a genuine opportunity, and he quickly seized it with a cheeky backheel against Fulham, a hat trick against Wigan and a brace against Blackburn.
Yet he remains behind Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez in the pecking order. That must surely come as a disappointment to Berbatov, but it is a brilliant situation for United and their supporters. Few clubs can claim to have such a wealth of attacking depth, and realistically the only Premier League club that could rival them in that regard is Manchester City.
No matter how well Berbatov performs, though, he is met with criticism from United supporters. One of the most common concerns is his languid style of play. He does not tirelessly run like Rooney or Welbeck, nor is he as fast as Hernandez, but he should not be dismissed on that basis. He is a different brand of striker, one who relies more on his skill and intelligence.
Berbatov thrives in scenarios where United need to control possession. He is gifted with one of the most elegant touches in the world and has a creativity that few possess. His assist against West Ham in the 2008/09 season summed up all of Berbatov's valuable attributes. It was a moment of sheer genius made possible by a superb touch, and it perfectly illustrated why this sport is called the beautiful game.
Such a player would have been ideal against Liverpool on Saturday. Berbatov was more suited to control possession and lead the attack than Park Ji-Sung, whose heavy touch and errant passes often gave away possession.
Berbatov also would have been a better substitute for Paul Scholes than Hernandez. United was controlling possession when Scholes was removed, and it was only then that Liverpool began to take over the game. Berbatov could have come on and maintained the possession that United had enjoyed. Instead, he was not introduced until 89th minute when United already trailed 2-1.
Having a player so different from his peers is advantageous to United. It gives Sir Alex options. The manager once said he likes to have four strikers in his squad, but having four strikers all with similar style is pointless. Diversity is a must. Each must contribute something unique to the team.
A forward like Berbatov is desirable in certain situations, like in the match against Liverpool, and he is one of the best at what he does.
United fans have also raised concern with Berbatov’s inconsistent scoring. In September 2010, Berbatov scored the first United hat trick against Liverpool in 64 years. He then went silent for two months before scoring five goals against Blackburn Rovers in late November. The goal droughts Berbatov suffers from are likely his greatest downfall. He scored 21 goals for United last season in all competitions, but 11 of those goals came in only three appearances.
Scoring goals is the principal objective for any striker, but Berbatov contributes more than goals. The aforementioned style of play and ability to create chances are just two examples of what he brings to a team, and they help compensate for his occasional struggles in front of goal. Berbatov also provides experience to a young squad, and the benefits of experience must never be underestimated.
Berbatov has become a victim of United’s style of play. Sir Alex prefers speed in the attack, which makes Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez all more suited to the current tactics. However, Berbatov still has a part to play. He not only provides superb cover for his three colleagues, but his unique style and attributes continue to make him the ideal forward against certain opposition.
It seems unfair for a striker of Berbatov's quality to not be playing more regularly. Perhaps a move away would have been best for the player, but to have such quality in depth is certainly favorable for United.
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