Will Dimitar Berbatov leave Manchester United this summer?

Writing this article feels a bit like déjà vu. Last summer I asked the same question and Dimitar Berbatov stayed at United.

However it looks like he really could be leaving the club this summer. He isn’t getting regular first team football this season and looks way down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Different

This season has been different to last for the striker, in that he has hardly been in the team. Last season he appeared far more often for the Red Devils and finished as the joint top goal scorer in the Premier League.

This season he has made just ten league appearances, five of those off the bench. However he has still managed an impressive total of seven league goals this season. At most other clubs in the Premier League he would be an automatic first choice but not at United.

Competition

The Bulgarian has some stiff competition to get into the team from Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. All three have scored important goals this season to help United to the top of the Premier League table.

Last season Berbatov was only really competing against Hernandez and Rooney but the return of Welbeck from a loan spell with Sunderland has pushed him down the pecking order at the club. The England international is starting to develop into a good player and his improvement has saw Berbatov playing less games.

Skill

Dimitar Berbatov is without doubt one of the most technically gifted players in the United squad, if not the most. On his day he has the talent to produce breathtaking moments of skill that can single-handedly win his team football matches. It’s almost effortless at times and that’s the problem.

He does have a lethargic style that makes him look lazy. Berbatov isn’t the sort of player that will chase down defenders to win the ball back or track back. That works to his disadvantage sometimes as fans believe he is not putting the effort in.

Dimitar Berbatov is very much a luxury player, every team needs one. The player that can be out of the game for 80-odd minutes and then produce a sublime bit of skill to win his team the game.

Divided

His style of play really does seem to divide opinion amongst Manchester United fans. Some have labelled Berbatov a flop but some are hoping that Sir Alex Ferguson makes a u-turn and decides to keep the Bulgarian at Old Trafford.

I have even read some comments from United fans suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson should leave the club if he gets rid of Berbatov. I couldn’t believe some of the comments I have read from so-called United fans. It’s just incredible how fickle fans can be.

Suggestion

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given the biggest suggestion yet that the Bulgarian could be on his way. He told Sky Sports: “ His concern is not getting first-team football. At 31, he is looking at first-team football”

United will trigger a clause in Berbatov’s contract to extend it by a further year. Berbatov’s current contract expires in the summer and he would be a free agent. By triggering the clause United will at least recoup some of the £30million they paid for the striker.

Ferguson continued by saying: “ We will be taking up the option on his contract but, having had chats with him, I understand he wants to get first-team football,”

“It is something we need to consider at the end of the season. For a player of his age and his ability, it is disappointing for him that he is not getting first-team football. We will look at the end of the season but until then, he remains at United.”

Destination

Where Berbatov will be plying his trade next season  is so far unknown. However the Bulgarian striker has been linked with former club Bayer Leverkusen. He has also been linked with ultra-rich French Ligue One club PSG. The striker appearing for United next season is looking less likely.

Waste

At 31 years of age Dimitar Berbatov still has a lot to give the right football team. His talent would be wasted just sitting on a substitutes bench for another year. I’m sure he will be a success wherever he ends up. It’s just a shame it didn’t really work out for him at United.

Will Dimitar Berbatov leave United this summer?