Law: Berbatov failed to live up to expectation
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Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has failed to live up to the reputation he made for himself at Tottenham, according to United legend Denis Law.
Berbatov has managed to score just 26 goals in two seasons at Old Trafford and his performances have been widely criticised since his £30.75 million move from White Hart Lane in August 2008.
''I don't want to knock him. He hasn't come up to the standard he set at Spurs, but when he was there he looked an extremely good player,'' Law told the Manchester Evening News. ''He's always had that laid-back style, even when he was at Tottenham, and that's what the fans admired him for but now he gets criticised for it.''
Law, who scored 237 goals in 404 United appearances, said he hoped Berbatov did not turn out to be another expensive misfit like £28 million midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who joined from Lazio in 1999 but lasted just two years at Old Trafford.
''He [Veron] looked an excellent player with Argentina and in Italy, but when he came to United he didn't do it,'' Law added. ''He was a commanding player, yet when he came to United he wasn't.''
Meanwhile, Berbatov has announced he will quit international football after speculation in the Bulgarian media suggested he had grown tired of continuing criticism.
Berbatov, the team's captain for the past three years, will retire to focus more on his club football.
''I came to the decision that as of now I have retired from the national team,'' he said. ''It wasn't a decision I took lightly and I have reconsidered several times. Everything has a beginning and an end and that is today.''
''I feel exhausted and now there are many guys who can emerge from my shadow. For them the moment has come. You should always know when to stop. I haven't discussed it with my club team. I guess it will come out in England and Sir Alex (Ferguson) will call me.''
Berbatov, who has made 74 international appearances, is Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer and netted his 48th goal for his country in a friendly against Malta.
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wow he is prolific for his country, but bobo shooter for his club.
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Originally posted by Rooney9:
wow he is prolific for his country, but bobo shooter for his club.
Do you see Bulgaria in World Cup? No? Thats because he's prolific when it comes to scoring against weaker nation during friendlies! No offense but name any player from Malta? Cant?
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He's actually very skillful, like a brazillian of sorts but he needs to be the star man. The team has to play only to him. There's no place for him in united if rooney is around. A lower team would suit him.