Berbatov gives critical assessment of himself

Soccer: Dimitar Berbatov admits he still needs to change in order to fit in at Manchester United. The Bulgarian failed to hit the heights expected of him in his first season following his €33.6million move from Tottenham last year.

The 28-year-old scored just nine league goals last term and came in for some major criticism from the Old Trafford faithful.

But Berbatov admits that it is him who needs to adapt to life at United.

"That is my fault, not theirs. It is me who must change," he said of the criticism. "Manchester United are their club. They have treated me perfectly since I came.

"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.

"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'."

Berbatov has begun his second term in better fashion and has scored two league goals already.

"I am more pleased with my overall game in this second season already," he added.

"I feel that I have integrated myself better into the team. I am much stronger, much fitter. But I still wish I could score more."

Berbatov admits his languid style has not always endeared him to the fans, saying: "This is my style of play. I don't run for no reason. I am always alert and ready.

"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!"

He admits his hefty price-tag was also a heavy burden to carry, but he insisted that he was happy.

"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," he said.

"I am playing with legends like Scholes, Giggs and Rooney. Being coached by a man like Alex Ferguson. How can I not be happy?"