Dimitar Berbatov, Money Well Spent?

I have long admired, even coveted the abilities of Dimitar Berbatov, but now he wears the red of Manchester I can't help but think of his age, his inconsistent mood, and his inability to force himself onto a game that is slipping away from him. However, that being said, it is very early days in his United career, so any judgments made at this point at are almost entirely irrelevant, especially when you consider the slow start made by such players as Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evera...and Berbatov has yet to even make any serious inroads on his own experience. 

In theory, what Berbatov brings technically to the United squad is exactly what this group of players have been lacking over the past two years, given Louis Saha's inability to tie his boots without sustaining an injury. Indeed, such a strong, imposing and skilled No. 9 as Berbatov is exactly what United's stocky though extremely capable forward line needs to defend both the Champions League and Barclay's English Premier League titles of 2008. He is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, and there is no questioning his ability to put at least 20 goals into the back of the net every season, no matter which team he is a part of. However, my major concern with the Bulgarian striker is his tendency to drop out from a game, leaving United a man down in times where they will need to have every player on the pitch committed to winning the ball and attacking like their lives depend on it. 

If you examine Berba's goalscoring record with Tottenham, you will find that while over the course of a season his final tally is most impressive, however if you look at when he scores you might notice that his goals come in fits and starts. And while I welcome any contribution that he will make to the team, I must admit that I do not see him becoming an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or a Carlos Tevez, both artists capable of pulling goals from no place with no time left on the clock. 

In my opinion, Berbatov's value will be officially determined by Sir Alex Ferguson's use of the player. Whether he shall be a permanent 90 minute player, or a threat for 60 minutes only to give way to a Carlos Tevez or Wayne Rooney. It will also be of great importance which of these two forwards he will forge the best relationship with, and it is worth considering how he and Ronaldo will play on the same team together, for while I do not doubt that their styles could complement each other, I hope that Berbatov can quickly become used to the fact that he is no longer the best player at his club.