Dimitar Berbatov is likely to be moving on this summer (teamtalk.com)
Dimitar Berbatov has probably not had the achievements at Manchester United that his transfer fee suggested, but he has done well throught his career in Manchester. After signing for United on 1st September 2008 for a a fee of around £30m, making him the second most expensive Manchester United player, he has actually achieved quite a lot for United. In his first season in Manchester, he made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals, which although is not great for a striker, its good for his first season. He also helped United win the Barclays Premier League for the third successive season. Berbatov was also involved in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008 also getting a winners medal as we beat LDU Quito or Ecuador even though he did not play in the tournament.
Whilst at Manchester United, Berbatov won the Barclays Premier League twice in 2008/09 & 2010/11, he also won the Football League Cup in 2009/10, the FA Community Shield twice in 2010 & 2011 and finally the FIFA World Club Cup in 2008. Individually in his time at United, Berbatov also won the following; Premier League Player of the Month in Jaunary 2011, Premier League Team of the Year 2010/11, Premier League Golden Boot Landmark Award 2010/11 for scoring 10 goals & 20 goals, he also shared the overall Premier League Golden Boot with Carlos Tevez.
Dimitar Berbatov with the Barclays Premier League Golden Boot Award 2010/11 (dimitar-berbatov.net)
Whilst at United, Dimitar Berbatov has a few memorable games. Here is a breakdown of the matches the Bulgarian stood out for me;
First United Match: 13th September 2008 – Barclays Premier League – Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United, Anfield
First United Goal: 30th September 2008 – UEFA Champions League – Aalborg 0-3 Manchester United, Aalborg Stadion
First United Hat-Trick: 19th September 2010 – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool, Old Trafford
Five Goal Berba: 27th November 2010 – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers, Old Trafford
Wigan Hat-trick: 26th December 2011 – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United 5-0 Wigan Athletic, Old Trafford
Double v Blackburn: 31st December 2011 – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United 2-3 Blackburn Rovers, Old Trafford
Last United Goal: 31st January 2012 – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United 2-0 Stoke City, Old Trafford
Here is a video of Berbatov’s hat-trick against Liverpool taken from YouTube user ‘TheBlah95Two’;
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sjs1rbVk6g]
Here is another video of Berbatov scoring his five goals against Blackburn when United won 7-1 at Old Trafford, from YouTube user ‘ivailodjambazov’;
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZN80jfpS94]
Here is a table showing Dimitar Berbatov’s career statistics both for club and country;
|
CLUB |
SEASON |
APPEARANCES |
GOALS |
|
CSKA SOFIA |
1998/99 |
16 |
6 |
|
|
1999/00 |
34 |
16 |
|
|
2000/01 |
15 |
16 |
|
|
|
65 |
38 |
|
|
|
||
|
BAYER LEVERKUSEN |
2000/01 |
13 |
6 |
|
|
2001/02 |
41 |
16 |
|
|
2002/03 |
33 |
6 |
|
|
2003/04 |
34 |
19 |
|
|
2004/05 |
46 |
26 |
|
|
2005/06 |
37 |
24 |
|
|
|
201 |
91 |
|
|
|
||
|
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR |
2006/07 |
49 |
23 |
|
|
2007/08 |
52 |
23 |
|
|
2008/09 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
102 |
46 |
|
|
|
||
|
MANCHESTER UNITED |
2008/09 |
43 |
14 |
|
|
2009/10 |
43 |
12 |
|
|
2010/11 |
42 |
21 |
|
|
2011/12 |
21 |
9 |
|
149 |
57 |
||
|
|
|
||
|
BULGARIA |
1999-2010 |
77 |
48 |
Dimitar Berbatov while playing for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League (Ryu Voelkel)
At the moment it is unknown where Dimitar Berbatov will ply his trade next season but there is a whole host of teams looking for his signature. The teams mentioned so far are Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Paris St Germain. The next few weeks will tell a story but it certainly does look like we will be saying goodbye to Berbatov.
By Paul Bienkowski