Dimitar Berbatov provided Fantasy Managers with a reminder of his qualities by capping an impressive display against Celtic in last night’s friendly with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win.
“Uncle Bulgaria” as he is affectionately known around these parts was full of typically languid touches and at the heart of all things good about United’s first performance of the summer. The striker took his goal well, converting a Mame Biram Diouf pass on the far post with a left-foot shot, before laying on efforts from Danny Wellbeck and Tom Cleverley.
Despite notching 12 goals and 9 assists last season, Berbatov went almost unnoticed in Fantasy terms, permanently cast in the substantial shadow of Wayne Rooney and his 26 goal haul. A strong pre-season is essential then if Berbatov is to edge his way into our thinking for our initial Fantasy lineups and shake-off the label as a Fantasy “sleeper” that has come his way as his returns have gradually declined…
There’s no question that Berbatov does have it in him to be a potent force. Despite a clear drop in output since his arrival at Old Trafford, his record over the past four season’s is fairly consistent and last season’s goal haul (his second best in England) arrived despite earning his fewest Premier League starts (24). However, an overall record of 26 goals in 86 starts under Alex Ferguson clearly demonstrates that Berbatov is still struggling to establish himself at United; there are few arguments to be had there.
Significantly Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points have tailed off dramatically season by season. Berbatov recorded just 8 of those points last term having racked up a total of 58 over the previous three years – 44 of those came whilst in his pomp at Spurs. That statistic and the apparent inability to link with Rooney and bring the assist count we know he is capable of, has seen Berbatov slip from our FPL radars.
A decline in returns has seen his price slowly fall behind that of the heavy-hitting forwards. Berbatov can be brought in for 8.5 in the Fantasy Premier League game ranking him alongside Sunderland’s Darren Bent, Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor and Liverpool’s new Serbian signing – Milan Jovanovic. Significantly while both Bent and Agbonlahor look proven 34+ start men – Berbatov will go into his third season at United unsure of his role in Alex Ferguson’s lineup.
A propensity to shift to a fluid 4-5-1 with wingers Nani and Valencia flanking Rooney left Berbatov flicking his fringe on the bench last term. We will need assurance that this system has been cast aside in favour of the 4-4-2 before we can confidently consider the merits of United’s enigmatic talent. Even then Berbatov will have to see off the likes of Michael Owen and new signing Javier Hernandez, along with the rising stock of young strikers Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf. It all adds up to a pivotal season for Berbatov with his future in the starting eleven and even at Old Trafford, clearly in doubt.
He can at least turn to the support of his teammates for comfort with Darren Fletcher recently providing backing. Even former United legend Andy Cole has remarked just how significant this season is for the Bulgarian, whilst offering another reminder that he has the ability to emerge from Rooney’s shadow…
“Berbatov has got quality and we all know that. He just needs games and goals. I think the goals are certain to come from him. He is due a big season and you’d have to say after two seasons already at Old Trafford then he has to do it now. This is a big year for him. But I believe in him.”
Despite Cole’s claims a strong goal haul from Berbatov is far from certain and it remains to be seen if his belief is mirrored amongst us Fantasy Managers. As it stands his talent looks unlikely to be rewarded with investment – Berbatov will need more performances like last night to alter that.