Source: Team_Talk
Dimi insists he cares deeply
Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov insists fans confuse his laid-back approach to football with a misguided belief that he does not care.[LNB] The United striker should be heading for the new campaign on a high after sharing the Premier League's Golden Boot prize with Carlos Tevez and firing the Red Devils to a record 19th title.[LNB]Instead, Berbatov is facing up to what most would perceive to be the biggest challenge of his career after he did not even manage a place on the bench for the Champions League final.[LNB]The Bulgarian is said to have spent the 3-1 defeat to Barcelona alone and in tears, trying to mask his desolation from concerned club officials.[LNB]Last week, in Chicago's Four Seasons Hotel, Berbatov was a more contented figure.[LNB]So obviously uncomfortable in an interview setting, the former Tottenham star had no wish to rake over the coals of that horrendous night.[LNB]However, he was keen to set the record straight about his attitude to the game.[LNB]"I am a very proud person," said the 30-year-old.[LNB]"I don't like to show my weaknesses. I don't want to show my emotions in public.[LNB]"That is why people probably sometimes misjudge me."[LNB]The truth is Berbatov wants to win. But he wants to win with style.[LNB]Throughout his career, no one criticised his style of play.[LNB]It was only following his arrival at Old Trafford, when demanding supporters watched him replace the obvious industry of Carlos Tevez, the sniping began at a player Sir Alex Ferguson was so convinced of he broke the club record by spending £30.75million.[LNB]"Yes," he said, when asked if the claim he does not care bothers him.[LNB]"I always play like this. That is what got me here.[LNB]"You are not going to see me puffing around the pitch. There is a saying in Bulgaria that great quality doesn't require much effort."[LNB]If that awful experience at Wembley is a no-go area, and so too any discussion about his contract, which is about to enter its final year, Berbatov is happy to talk about other matters.[LNB]Closest to his heart is the Dimitar Berbatov Foundation aimed at children of talent back home in Bulgaria who lack the resources to make the most of their abilities.[LNB]Berbatov's status as a role model sits comfortably on his shoulders, even if he recoils from the thought he could be regarded as an icon, reserving that status for his own hero, Hristo Stoichkov.[LNB]"When I was young, I was looking to people like Stoichkov," he said.[LNB]"I told myself one day I would like to be as successful as him. Dreams do come true sometimes."[LNB]Although there was one cataclysmic low, Berbatov experienced some dream days last year too.[LNB]The first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years, a tally that included a magnificent overhead kick, the first non-Englishman to score five in a Premier League game, the Golden Boot for his 20-goal haul.[LNB]"I didn't know scoring three goals against Liverpool would mean so much to so many people," he reflected.[LNB]"Obviously three goals - and the second one was a bit special - it will stay in my memory for ever - and after that I scored five![LNB]"What makes me really proud is that there have been so many foreigners playing in English football, I am the only one with five goals.[LNB]"But it is something I have to push to the back of my mind. Last season I had highs in my career. But what if we didn't win the title? Then these things wouldn't matter so much."[LNB]Talking to Berbatov, it is clear that he does care, both about his team and his performance.[LNB]It seems he wants to be liked, not in an arrogant way, but as an individual who tried to do things a little differently.[LNB]"As a good player, doing things the fans enjoyed," he replied, when asked how he would like to be remembered.[LNB]"I always tend to think my goals are beautiful goals. That is what I want to score; beautiful goals, and create beautiful chances."[LNB]How long will that attitude prevail at Old Trafford, where the challengers, all younger, are queuing up to oust him?[LNB]Berbatov does not answer. What he is prepared to concede is that once leaving United, the only way is down.[LNB]"Smaller clubs might be able to match Manchester United with the way they play, with their organisation, everything. But Manchester United are at the top," he said.[LNB]"Where can you go from there? Maybe Barcelona. At the moment, I don't see anything else.[LNB]"If you go somewhere else it is a big step down.[LNB]"I come from a small country. I have the good fortune to play for Manchester United. For the time I am here I try to do my best and win everything there is to win.[LNB]"There is no other way I can play."
