The Grumpus

2 years ago, almost to the day, Dimitar Berbatov made his Manchester United debut against Liverpool. Yesterday, against the same opposition with which he began his United career, he enjoyed the high point of his time so far.

A hat-trick is always going to ensure that you take the plaudits - but scoring all 3 goals in a 3-2 win, culminating with the winner with less than ten minutes to go, pretty much guarantees hero status. Factor in that it was against bitter rivals (make no mistake, this is the biggest fixture in English football) and also included a spectacular overhead kick, and things could not have gone much better for the Bulgarian striker.

Throughout his time at United he has received a great deal of criticism, but one thing that can never be questioned is his ability. A first touch that fellow professionals at the elite end of the game cannot dream to match; skill and technique to burn, and a general approach that just makes the whole thing look so easy...Berbatov is blessed with all of these attributes, but there is one key deficit:

Dimitar Berbatov is a moody bugger.

To his defence, he is smart enough to know that there is no need or advantage in him sprinting around, chasing lost causes and generally wasting energy. He operates like a predator - deadly and lethal when he can sense the kill; languid and reserved at all other times. This is one thing that will always rankle with many football fans - consider the hero status with which Carlos Tevez was regarded by the very same Old Trafford patrons, largely on the basis that he ran around like a lunatic - they will regard Berbatov's approach as anything from lazy to downright disrespectful. An easy way to win the fans over is to at least show you 'care' and get yourself stuck in.

Berbatov has refused to take this approach thus far, and is now seemingly revelling in the role of key man. He knows that his abilities are sufficient to win the fans over - and they certainly seemed convinced yesterday. Alex Ferguson will be greatly troubled by Wayne Rooney's ongoing malaise - but the fact that it has enabled Berbatov to step up and run the show has been one obvious benefit to the whole mess.

Whilst I agree with his refusal to adapt his game to a less cerebral and more 'passionate' headless chicken style approach, I do think he could make the odd concession to win the fans over and become even more of a hero to them.

He was substituted late on yesterday, in what was clearly a decision based on first of all the sensible move to withdraw a striker for an extra defensive minded player; but secondly the chance to give the Number 9 the ovation his performance deserved. Old Trafford rose to acclaim the man of the match, and he trudged off looking like Rio Ferdinand had just merked his Mum.

Dimitar, if you're reading this (as is highly probable), all you need to do mate is be a bit more bloody friendly!! A wave and clap to every corner of the ground, a few high fives to the fans who were leaning over to congratulate you - it's really not much to ask is it? If he can add that to his persona and continue this level of form all season, a place in the pantheon of United legends is well within his grasp.

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As a final word, one thing that was noted after Berbatov's impressive second goal was the impact that the crossbar can have on a goal. Had his overhead kick floated into the net a few feet below the bar, people might have examined Reina's involvement and suggested that there was not a huge amount of power on the shot. As it was, clipping the bar and then firing up into the roof of the net, it just looks so freakin cool. Don't believe me? Ask Tony Yeboah.