DIMITAR Berbatov has the reputation of being one of the most cultured
members of Manchester United's squad - but there are tricks some of his
team-mates do that he would not even try.
The Bulgarian
forward knew he would be taking a step up in class when he joined
United in one of the jaw-dropping late transfer deals on deadline-day
12 months ago.
At a club record £30.75million, Berbatov
was obvious. Yet it was only when he arrived at Old Trafford that the
Tottenham star realised how good his new team-mates were.
"We have so much talent at United," he said.
"They do stuff that sometimes I honestly cannot do - and I don't even try because I would look like a fool.
"You see people doing it and ask them about it. You learn from each other. To develop, you have to."
Clearly, United's main trickster has gone following Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million move to Real Madrid.
However,
there is still plenty of talent remaining in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad;
enough to keep Berbatov on the bench until the latter stages of
Saturday's victory over Arsenal.
Not that Berbatov is giving any indication of throwing his toys out of the pram after a difficult first season at United.
Rooney
He knows Michael Owen is in the same boat, while in Wayne Rooney, he has a stellar talent to be compared with.
"What can you say about Wayne?" he said.
"He has been here for so many years, playing top football. It is amazing he is only 23.
"When he reaches around 28 he will be even better.
"We see in training, and you can see in games, the unbelievable passion he has got for football."
Berbatov
is also aware his own contribution could result in United winning a
major honour, just as they did last term when he picked up his first
Premier League title.
It has been suggested more than once that, without Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, United cannot be the same force.
Berbatov does not agree. He looks around the Red Devils dressing room and believes United can challenge once more.
"We are going for everything there is to win," he said.
"We
have a good squad. I don't need to introduce anybody. Everybody knows
what Manchester United's players are capable of - and we are ready to
go again."