What's gotten into Dimitar?

Dimitar Berbatov is currently United's leading scorer. He's nailed 3 goals so far and seems to be looking lively up front for us. Why is this so significant you ask? Well because we have, for the past two seasons, used him as a scapegoat for our failures. It's always been, "Berbatov is so lazy, he doesn't do anything!", or "he just doesn't care about us, that £30 million we paid for him was a waste."

True, his performances from 2008 to last year were more forgettable than memorable, but hey we saw some flashes of brilliance from him. Like the time he did this. All of a sudden, Berba's been playing like a genius. Holding up play nicely, making the right passes, scoring goals, engineering attacks, and RUNNING.

So what's gotten into him? I'll give you my top four reasons for why the Big Bulgarian is flourishing this year. Mind you, they're in no particular order, and some of them aren't really justifiable and/or likely, but more superstition and gut-instinct.

1. He's sick of us being dicks
Let's face it, we've been kinda mean to him. For the past two years, we've been talking about how our team is better off without him and that he should be sold. There was even a rumor sometime last year that suggested we try and get Klass Jan-Huntelaar from AC Milan for some cash and Berbatov. Surely, he would have been aware of our disapproval and maybe he decided to work that little bit harder. Or maybe, just maybe, he wanted to be loved.

2. He quit the Bulgarian national team
It seemed like the trend for United players. Scholes quit, Giggs quit - Berbatov's train of thought, "HEY! Maybe if I quit national team, I be good like Giggs and Red Head!"

So yeah, he retired from international football and that could possibly be a load off his back. He was captain of the team and the disappointments he's had with the Bulgarians has outweighed the fun of representing them. If that's not the reason, then maybe he's just trying to fit in with the "retired" crowd like Wes Brown and Giggsy.

3. He got a haircut
Here at TSR, we like to believe in luck and superstitions. Wood must be knocked on at all times, 11:11 must be respected, and the season-ticket-holding Sikhs MUST be sitting next to the away team bench. Personally, I can't wear anything United related when I watch a game - for we will lose.

ANYWAY... Berbatov cut his hair last year, and it looked funny. But maybe this strange new do, is a reason for his success. It could just be luck, or maybe he doesn't have that extra few milligrams that slowed him down last year. Either way, I say he should keep it like this.

4. He's finally settled
It could be a case of Diego Forlánitis. After taking seemingly FOREVER to settle into Manchester and United's style of play, he's finally coming good. When he was at Spurs, he was the go-to guy for attacks. Almost everyball went to him, or to Lennon who would then get it to him or Robbie Keane. Here at Old Trafford, there are several players who are capable of crafting an attack. Just look at the talent we have in Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Nani, Carrick, Valencia, and like everyone else. This change of scene may have been difficult for Berbatov to adjust to, you could tell when he put his hands in the air whenever a ball wasn't played to him.

Now that he's gelling well with the team, there's no reason why his form should dip anytime soon.