Dimitar Berbatov - Love him or loathe him, he's not that fussed

By Michael Calvin

Published 23:00 26/09/09

• 

He views the chores of the game with the disdain of a wine snob served supermarket plonk in a plastic cup.

He divides opinion, challenges conventional wisdom that a striker’s impact must be measured in sweat and goals.

Whisper it in the heartland of functional football, but we are going to have to get used to Dimitar Berbatov’s quaint little ways.

When the tumult had died down, he removed his alice band and ambled away. It had been a gentle stroll in the autumnal sunshine.

If he broke sweat, it was an accident. He barely made a tackle, and contented himself with the occasional intelligent foray into space.

Yet a simple side-footed finish, which set up a significant win, excused all. Manchester United had emerged from the Britannia bear pit without a scratch.

They had returned to the top of the table, and the travelling fans were asking the locals: “Where’s your famous atmosphere?” It was a revealing question. Stoke normally suck the marrow out of the bare bones of any advantage they can get. They’re the Militant Tendency of the Premier League.

The fans revel in their notoriety, erect a wall of noise. Yet yesterday, they were worn down by United’s superiority and became uncharacteristically submissive. 

They will never have a better opportunity to brand Berbatov as a conscientious objector under fire.

The Bulgarian had scored only once in eight previous games this season.

He had cause to be grateful for the diversion provided by Michael Owen’s sudden installation as a United legend. He had ducked under the radar, but murmured comparisons to Juan Sebastian Veron, another talented misfit, were threatening to grow to a crescendo.

Whatever.

Emile Heskey proves strikers need not necessarily be judged by weight of goals, but when the creative side of a forward’s game is also minimal the debate is more agitated.

It took Berbatov 44 minutes to fashion his only other shot. Yet one perceptive pass by Darren Fletcher, a familiar glimpse of the genius of Ryan Giggs, and he was a match winner. To his credit, he made a point of directing the crowd’s acclaim towards Giggs, who deserves an eternal flame in his honour at Old Trafford.

Stoke narrowed the pitch, condensed space, and would have preferred to play United in a phone box.

They had little option but to feed off scraps, and rely on the resilience of four central defenders across the back.

United dominated possession so effectively that the test of nerve facing Ben Foster was passed easily. The much-anticipated physical barrage never materialised. We must wait to discover whether he has the mental strength to carry the baggage of playing for United, and whether Edwin van der Sar is serious about sustaining his career.

As for Berbatov, he will continue to be his own man. Love him or loathe him, it’s your call. He’s not that fussed.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!