Source: Daily_Mail
I was a failure after leaving Spurs and I still feel the pressure - Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov is struggling under pressure to make a name for himself at Manchester United after admitting he failed in his first season at Old Trafford.
Berbatov joined United on deadline day in August last year but the 28-year-old Bulgarian got off to a slow start after leaving Tottenham and the stress of it all has given him sleepless nights.
'In my first year I was disappointed in myself. I need to say that. It was a big pressure for me and maybe I failed myself. I think I wanted to prove myself to these supporters.
'You must remember, they are used to Best, Charlton, Cantona. I am just Dimitar. I got a number of assists, but I must score more goals,' he told The Sun.
'I don't know what I am doing wrong sometimes. Maybe it's luck, maybe it's me... who knows?
'At nights I have stayed awake thinking, "You could have done this instead".
'My nerves were too much and that is my responsibility.'
Berbatov has scored 16 in 53 appearances since joining the Red Devils but he still divides opinion among supporters.
Many regard his as lazy or moody and the accusations bothered him so much he found himself checking statistics to see if they were justified.
He added: 'I will be honest. This criticism did affect me, but not in a negative way. I looked at our ProZone stats and saw that I was ninth in distance covered.
'I am kind of a nerd. I looked at them too much, maybe. By the end of the season I was fourth. Maybe this season I will be first.'
Told you: Berbatov celebrates scoring in the win over Stoke
Berbatov refuses to blame his huge price tag for putting him under pressure. United paid Spurs £30.75million for his servives but the striker reckons the money being spent by clubs is unrealistic.
He said: 'Who can live up to that sort of money? Nobody can. If I think about that money it is crazy to me. I can't believe it.'
Berbatov may look as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders when he plays but he added: 'I am a footballer playing for the best club in the world. I am playing with legends like Scholes, Giggs and Rooney. Being coached by a man like Sir Alex Ferguson. How can I not be happy?'
