United's Forgotten Man - Dimitar Berbatov.

On the eve of him showering upon a heap of praise on Sir Alex, this is a tribute to United’s forgotten man -Dimitar Berbatov.

I had written this some time in June, feeling for the man who was omitted from United’s 3-1 drubbing against Barcelona.

‘Berbatov has a touch of genius about him’ said Sir Alex Ferguson last year and how does the man often tagged as nonchalant and mercurial respond? With a sublime hat-trick against United’s fiercest rival – Liverpool, a feat that had not been accomplished by a United player in decades. Yes, Berba had finally inscribed himself into the hearts of the United faithful. After two painful seasons of being criticised and being labelled as languid or even disinterested at one point, the highest transfer in United’s history was finally living up to it. Or so it had seemed. The curious case of Dimitar Berbatov’s United career was about to see yet another goal drought. Ten games without a goal followed, which meant that another rise in the popularity charts with the critics beckoned. This time around however, the ever so elusive lady luck was on his side, asWayne Rooney, his more prolific strike partner, who had been on the sidelines for most of the season, was on his infamous transfer demanding fit. Berba could breathe again. The very next match though, ironically enough there wasn’t a minute to breathe for the Blackburn defence, as a hungry Berbatov had them crying for mercy. It was as if a wizard was showcasing his magical abilities in front of a packed arena, only at the expense of Blackburn. A truly mystical performance which left even his own team-mates bedazzled. The result, five goals to his name and a 7-1 victory for United. Such is the impact of an in the mood Berbatov that players as, let’s just say ‘confident’ as Cristiano Ronaldo have stood in awe and waited for him to get past James Collins and put in the perfect pass for him to score the easiest of tapings. Soon after, following another hat-trick against Birmingham, Berba became the first player since Ruud Van Nistelrooy to bag 3 hat-tricks in a season for United. Berbatov was the highest goal scorer in the premier league for the season as things stood. The only dark cloud on an otherwise sunny afternoon was the fact that he only had two goals away from home all season long. Come January though, with United playing a catch up game against Blackpool away from home, that too would change- two goals down at half time, it seemed as if United’s unbeaten run was coming to an end but the ‘disinterested’ Bulgarian had other ideas, two goals in twenty minutes meant that United won 2-3 and the dark cloud appeared to have vanished.

But alas, it was not to be. Typical of his United career, his luck was reaching out to grab his legs yet again. Rested for a game against Wigan, the find of last season as he was termed later on, Javier Hernandez capitalised on his opportunity by scoring a brace. What happened next, to describe it in the most moderate of ways is an enigma. A substitute in a defeat against Chelsea where all that Hernandez did was to go down at the slightest of nutdges, he was left unused unfortunately, as United’s warrior last year, he captain-Nemanja Vidic was sent off and Berbatov’s wizardry was thoroughly missed. Next came Liverpool and he starts this time, probably keeping in mind his brilliant hat-trick last time around. In a match where United were absolutely out played in all departments the only ray of hope was Berba. His touch, his control, his passing, all of it, no United player could dream of playing like that on the day. I particularly remember this one volley very early on in the match which struck the outside of the post. Fantastic – in one word. Ironically though, he played a big role in Hernandez’s late goal which only served as a consolation with respect to the game but could very well have been the defining moment as far as United’s season was concerned. Why I say it can be referred to as thedefining moment is that, Chicharito had now taken over the strikers’ role. A month before this, United had the perfect striker and the perfect impact substitute to go with it, one can only contemplate as to what could have been, had this not been compromised. Don’t get me wrong, I love the ‘little pea’ myself, I think he’s brilliant, very unorthodox and his goal poaching instincts are as good as anyone’s in world football but with him and Rooney on the pitch, United seem to be very one dimensional. Although to his credit, Chicharito did take the opportunity presented to him rather well, scoring twice against Chelsea in as many games to knock them out of the Champions league first and then virtually out of the Premier league too, all of which definitely helped his case. Having said that, who’s to say Berbatov wouldn’t have done the same? After all, he was having his best goal scoring season in the English top flight. What I thought was the final straw was the F.A. Cup final defeat against Man City. He missed two golden opportunities in the first half, and United ended up losing the match 1-0. Being a United fan myself, I know how painful it was to see City go on and lift the trophy later. However, does that really justify omitting the Golden Boot winner of last season from let alone the starting line up but also the bench? Two years before this, United were well beaten by Barcelona in the final of the Champions League and it was ‘rumoured’ that Sir Alex had taken it out on Carrick. Ironically enough, it was Carrick again who gave the ball away which led to City’s goal. This time though, it was the other former Tottenham man’s turn.

It’s the end of May, the biggest game of the season and what stood in between United and an unforeseen double was the might of Barcelona again. Criticized by most because of their antics in the previous round, Barcelona did come in as villains, a tag that they’re definitely not used to. Beautiful Barca – the ambassadors of football were now being looked upon as a bunch of divers and play actors, by the world. Unfortunately for United though, the ‘real Barca’ showed up at Wembley, and not the ‘Barca of Real’. United played with Hernandez and Rooney, a partnership that had worked in the past against a Chelsea team having an erratic season. The result, United were battered. For the second time in 3 years, United were handed over another humbling experience. Which brings forth the question, had Berba been in the team would it have made a difference? What would he have added to the United team? What did United really miss on that night? Someone, who could hold the ball up. Someone, who has a fantastic first touch, and doesn’t need much time to control it. Someone, who can retain possession in tight situations. Someone, who can bring others into play. Someone, who has a touch of genius about him.