Source: SKY_Sports
Berbatov vows to improve
Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to improve on his first season at Manchester United and ease the fans' pain at losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
The 28-year-old flattered to deceive on occasions last term and, if the Premier League champions are to successfully fill the void left by Ronaldo and Tevez, Berbatov will have to improve on last season's tally of 14 goals from 43 games.
The Bulgarian's talent is never in doubt but at times his lacklustre persona frustrated Red Devils fans in his first season at Old Trafford.
Even manager Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to lose faith in his £30million man towards the end of last season with the Scot leaving Berbatov on the bench for both UEFA Champions League semi-final clashes and the final itself.
"I think I can do better (than last season)," he told MUTV. "I think I can do more. That's why I'm happy to be here on the pre-season tour.
"It's always beneficial to start well and have a good pre-season, and I feel I'm training well at the moment.
"I'm here to score goals and I hope to score more and more for United this season."
Berbatov will have to vie for a place with new signing Michael Owen this season and the honour of being awarded the No.7 shirt at the Theatre of Dreams is not lost on the former Liverpool man.
"I was quite shocked when the manager asked me to wear it, but obviously very honoured," he told the club's official website.
"You only have to look at the last half a dozen players to have worn the shirt, there are some fantastic players and I'll obviously do my best to continue that tradition, score a few goals and do the shirt proud.
"I know it means a lot to the fans. That's what the manager said to me straight away. He said I'd need broad shoulders to wear it and I told him that was fine, that I could handle that responsibility."
The likes of George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Ronaldo have all worn the number for United down the years but Owen insists that will not add extra pressure to perform.
"I don't feel it will add extra pressure," he added.
"I think I'm old enough and wise enough not to let it get to me. I'm really proud to have it and hopefully I'll do well in it."
