The 30 Million Pound Enigma
Few people get a second chance in life. Even fewer possess the raw skill and technical ability of Dimitar Berbatov.
Put two and two together, it means that against Bayern Munich tonight, the Bulgarian striker has yet another opportunity to shine on the big stage.
Manchester United fans – at least the rational ones – know not to expect a Lionel Messi-esque four-goal salvo from a man who looks more suited to be in a Godfather movie than on a football pitch.
But they would like him to go some way towards justifying the 30 million pounds fee that the club shelled out to prise him away from Tottenham Hotspur two years ago.
26 goals in 80 appearances just about covers the interest payments. Leading the Red Devils into the Champions League semi-finals will significantly repay the principal amount.
There’s no doubting the quality of United’s number 9. He’s like Will Smith – an outstanding actor who from time to time, does a stupid movie like I Am Legend.
Same with Berbatov – masterful against Bolton a fortnight ago, abysmal when Chelsea visited over the weekend.
Inconsistency has spread like a plague through the dressing room. Other known sufferers include Nani, Michael Carrick and even the once mighty Patrice Evra.
With Berbatov, you know that on his day, few others can emulate his brilliance on the pitch.
When he plays well, it breathes confidence into his team mates. They can give him the ball knowing that he has that uncanny ability of threading passes and finding gaps even in the tightest of matches.
We don’t need to talk about Arjen Robben’s pace or Franck Ribery’s trickery.
To me, the match tonight boils down to whether the Bulgarian decides that the time has come for him to outgrow his role as Wayne Rooney’s backup.
In a week where Tiger Woods seeks redemption at Augusta, another man in Manchester is on a similar mission.
He has to win the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful who think that United’s season took a turn for the worse just as Rooney’s ankle did.
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