DIMITAR Berbatov has the reputation of being one of the most
cultured members of Manchester United's squad - but there are
tricks some of his team-mates do that he would not even try.
The Bulgarian forward knew he would be taking a step up in class
when he joined United in one of the jaw-dropping late transfer
deals on deadline-day 12 months ago.
At a club record £30.75million, Berbatov was obvious. Yet it was
only when he arrived at Old Trafford that the Tottenham star
realised how good his new team-mates were.
"We have so much talent at United," he said.
"They do stuff that sometimes I honestly cannot do - and I don't
even try because I would look like a fool.
"You see people doing it and ask them about it. You learn from each
other. To develop, you have to."
Clearly, United's main trickster has gone following Cristiano
Ronaldo's £80million move to Real Madrid.
However, there is still plenty of talent remaining in Sir Alex
Ferguson's squad; enough to keep Berbatov on the bench until the
latter stages of Saturday's victory over Arsenal.
Not that Berbatov is giving any indication of throwing his toys out
of the pram after a difficult first season at United.
Rooney
He knows Michael Owen is in the same boat, while in Wayne Rooney,
he has a stellar talent to be compared with.
"What can you say about Wayne?" he said.
"He has been here for so many years, playing top football. It is
amazing he is only 23.
"When he reaches around 28 he will be even better.
"We see in training, and you can see in games, the unbelievable
passion he has got for football."
Berbatov is also aware his own contribution could result in United
winning a major honour, just as they did last term when he picked
up his first Premier League title.
It has been suggested more than once that, without Ronaldo and
Carlos Tevez, United cannot be the same force.
Berbatov does not agree. He looks around the Red Devils dressing
room and believes United can challenge once more.
"We are going for everything there is to win," he said.
"We have a good squad. I don't need to introduce anybody. Everybody
knows what Manchester United's players are capable of - and we are
ready to go again."