Transfer fees are often said to be outside the control of footballers. This truism can be applied to Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov who joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for £30.75 million. It was a considerable fee that was the subject of intense negotiations between the two clubs, only being settled on transfer deadline day. The talented Bulgarian has since admitted that the scale of the fee and the subsequent expectations placed on him were a concern. His form was sporadically effective but many felt the languid striker was not bringing enough to the team. Yet his improvement this season has been as fast as it has been inexplicable. Or has it? After all this is a player who prior to calling time on his international career, scored 41 goals in 69 appearances for Bulgaria. Nevertheless many would contend that his approach has been radically different and is that down to belief or work rate?

Berbatov has already scored six league goals this season and credited his improved performances to a rigorous summer fitness programme. However the former Bayer Leverkusen star has since discussed the impact of the fee which made him United’s most expensive player ever. Understandably Berbatov often struggled to reconcile that price tag with the expectations placed on him. “You start thinking it’s a lot of money and what’s going to happen if you don’t prove you’re good enough for that amount of money and if you don’t score enough goals.”

For most strikers it is only the hard currency of goals which earns widespread respect and admiration. In his first season at Old Trafford he notched up 9 goals in 31 league appearances which was followed by 12 the next season. This was far from spectacular but as a skilled ball player, Berbatov would invariably impress through his deft touches which prompted comparisons with Eric Cantona. It was a skill he employed to pivot past James Collins and assist Cristiano Ronaldo in their home victory over West Ham in 2008. His time in Manchester, however, has resembled an unfinished patchwork quilt featuring pieces of sublime skill and stunning goals which were too infrequent. Sir Alex Ferguson’s penchant for fielding one striker away in Europe and in big domestic ties restricted the rhythm of the Bulgarian. He started on the bench for all but one of their 2009-10 Champions League games.

Berbatov has not been seen as a natural candidate to play as a lone front man. He appears reluctant to race after a ball when played into space which creates a negative impression. “I need to feel the ball at my feet,” he once said. The size of the forward and his undoubted skill should allow him to fulfil both roles, playing from deep and receiving long balls directly. His goal at Goodison Park achieved just that as Paul Scholes’ ball over the top was met by a sprinting Berbatov who casually finished with the outside of his right foot. His varied and dazzling hat-trick against Liverpool was further evidence of his capabilities. His 84th minute header sealed the victory but it was his second which caught the eye. He received Nani’s cross with his back to goal, flicked the ball up on his knee and performed an audacious overhead kick which left Pepe Reina helpless. Ferguson said, “He has great talent. You can’t dispute the man’s ability – he’s a genius at times. Maybe it’s going to be his season now.” There is certainly a fluidity about his recent play, generally sitting deeper than Wayne Rooney but often switching roles to become the front man.

United’s record signing has revealed he held discussions with his manager in the summer, regarding his performances and the need to block out any criticism from outside the club. Suddenly the belief is there, his body language is less lethargic and he appears a more complete player. This is crucial given Rooney’s ongoing personal and injury problems, coupled with the relative inexperience of their new forward recruits. Berbatov has claimed that he is not fixated with his burgeoning goal tally: “You can stand around doing nothing and in the end the ball hits your knee and goes in the net. That doesn’t make me feel happy.” For the sake of United he may just have to become more altruistic.

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