Dimitar Berbatov has made a big impact in his first season at Old Trafford, but he says his best football is yet to come in a red …

Dimitar Berbatov has made a big impact in his first season at Old Trafford, but he says his best football is yet to come in a red shirt...

So Dimitar, are you pleased with how your first season is going?
Yeah, I think I can say I’m pleased so far. But even when things are going great, I keep on telling myself I need to do more. I’m a perfectionist, I set high standards. Everything I do, I want it to be perfect. I know it can’t be perfect every time, but that’s my aim. If it’s near perfection, I suppose I’m happy.

You've scored 12 goals so far this season. Have you - or the boss - set any targets?
I know some players like to do that, to give themselves a figure to aim for. That’s not for me. I just want to play my part in the team and help United win trophies with goals, assists and my play. The main goal is to win the league. I’ll be happy if we do that with my 10 goals, 15 goals… or if I’d scored only five goals.

You're also right up there for the highest number of assists in the Premier League. What does that say about your contribution to the team?
I hope people appreciate that because sometimes I take more pleasure making an assist than scoring myself. I know it sounds strange for a striker to say that, but for me it’s not strange at all. I like to make goals too.

You’re a very different player to forwards like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez – what do you feel you personally bring to the team?
We’re all different players here, not just the strikers. There are so many different qualities, but mixed together we make a very strong team. That’s the success of the manager and the club. He’s built a strong team with lots of different talents, that’s one of our biggest strengths. You can have great players, and not have a team. Here, we have everything.

You never appear hurried or under pressure when you play. Where does that comes from?
I’m a relaxed guy! I play that way and I can’t change my style. That’s the way I prefer to play. I watch games and see guys who panic on the ball – they look so nervous on the ball. I sometimes know what I want to do before the ball comes to me, so I can be calm. I still have work to do before I’m completely happy with my game, but I’m getting there. The boss tells me not to change anything… he gives me the freedom to express my qualities.

People often talk about your unique style of play. What do you think about the things that you hear and read about yourself?
Everyone has the right to an opinion. Half the people might like me, the other half might not. But throughout my life I’ve had high expectations for myself, so I just try to make the non-believers into believers.

Q&A: Dimitar Berbatov

26TH FEB 2009

Share

LATEST NEWS

ARCHIVE