Berbatov: Hard work pays off
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov says a summer of hard work is the reason for his successful start to the Premier League season.
Berbatov has scored six times in five games while Wayne Rooney struggles to lead the club's front line. Berbatov says he feels in the best physical shape of his life and hopes the good run will continue.
The Bulgarian struggled to hold down a regular place in the team last season. There were serious questions over Sir Alex Ferguson's belief in the player when he picked a half fit Rooney to play in the
Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
A summer of hard work has enabled Berbatov to improve many aspects of his game. However, the real test will be whether the striker remains at the top of the scoring charts for the whole season.
Improved game
Berbatov looks fitter than he did last season. This has allowed him to be faster across the pitch when he doesn't have possession and it has enabled him to play 90 minutes more consistently.
His first touch seems to have improved. This allows him to play different roles in the Manchester United team. He controls the ball well enough to hold up play or he can drop into the midfield to offload
possession and provide an extra outlet.
Berbatov looks very confident in the air. He scored two headers during the 3-2 win over Liverpool and this has added an extra edge to his game. He doesn't get shoved off the ball by defenders and provides
a threat from all set pieces.
He said: "I was disappointed with myself that I could not please all the supporters.
I've said before, the people of Manchester United
are the judges and that is the way it should be. It's their team. I am a guest, a privileged guest.
Now I feel like everything I imagine on the pitch will come true and that feels awesome."
The real test
The real test for Berbatov will be improving his consistency over the season. United is trying very hard to compete with a rampant Chelsea team and Berbatov needs to be
just as effective next spring if the club is going to be successful.
Berbatov showed during his Tottenham Hotspur days that he can go from hot to cold form very quickly. This is something he cannot allow to happen at the moment because of
Rooney's abysmal form.
He added: "I have worked hard on my fitness. So hard. I'm not a weights
guy, I'm sure you can see by my body. But I have been trying to even work on that.
I ran six miles every day during the off season. I watched one World Cup match, went for a run, then watched another and went for another run. This was my routine.
I'm not tired, I feel alive."
Betting advice
Berbatov is on form and buzzing at the moment so back him to score in any United game he plays in. He is a very difficult striker to defend against when he is in form and
it's clear that he'll do anything possible to maintain his momentum.
Have a punt on Berbatov to be top scorer in the Premier League. This may not seem a good bet but bear in mind the calibre of the players he plays with. United has a number
of players that can set-up numerous chances for the Bulgarian to score.
Manchester United is still a good bet to win all competitions the club is still in. Remember the odds will only shorten with every win that Ferguson's men secure.
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