Dimitar Berbatov has opened up about the initial struggles he had at Manchester United, speaking on a situation Benjamin Šeško will be able to relate to.
The Manchester United striker shirt is one of the heaviest shirts in world football, with expectations higher than most. A role that has been represented by some of the greatest play in the Premier League with the likes of Andy Cole, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Robin Van Persie and Dimitar Berbatov.
But it is the latter who has recently opened up about the truths behind the attention that the United shirt drags along with it.
Bulgarian Icon, Dimitar Berbatov, is an iconic face of the Premier League, known for his composure, class and clinical effect on the ball, having won the League title twice as a red and secured the Golden Boot alongside Carlos Tevez.
The pressures of representing a small nation, and especially being the first from that nation to play at Old Trafford, are similar to those of Manchester United’s newest big-money signing, Benjamin Šeško.
The 23-year-old recently became the first Slovenian to play for the Red Devils, and, naturally, a lot of expectations gravitate toward his name, particularly given United’s recent striker struggles.
Berbatov reveals the mental drawbacks as United’s striker
In an appearance on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Berbatov spoke openly about the pressures and expectations to maintain a straight face at Manchester United.
He stated, “I was more quiet because that was me keeping my private space and trying to achieve what I wanted to achieve coming from a small country.”
Having the eyes of an entire nation could force a player to crumble under the pressure; however, Berbatov bravely spoke about the morals of his childhood and how it shaped him into a more solitary person. “Sometimes […] I was overwhelmed,” he continued.
Having a colder upbringing taught Berbatov to hide emotions, which may show signs of weakness to the public eye. He continued, saying, “I was hiding them [emotions] well because this was how we were taught back home, ‘You’re a man, you don’t show feelings, you don’t speak’.”
Sesko carries Slovenia’s dreams on his back
Euro 2024 was the Slovenian giant’s first major international tournament and Slovenia’s first major tournament appearance since 2010. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Slovenia’s chances of qualifying are slim, with a tough qualifying group of Switzerland, Kosovo and Sweden.
United fans have praised Šeško’s start at United, as he has taken the title of Manchester United’s striker with confidence, scoring or assisting in every game he has started so far. However, the upbringing of a footballer in a smaller European country could undermine Sesko’s confidence.
This can be hidden, as Rio Ferdinand pointed out, stating, “You [Berbatov] had a supreme confidence in your demeanour and the way you walked about.”
“And I’m like watching him and I’m thinking, fuck man, you know, I want to be a little bit like this. Can I do it? Maybe not. Now, probably I can do it. And if I need to go back, probably I’ll change something like this. You know, just fit more straight into the atmosphere of everything. Not be a bit so private at times.”
When asked if he would change anything about his demeanour during his first months at Old Trafford, Berbatov mentioned that he wished he had tried a little more to gel with the group – something Šeško appears to be doing well during his opening months at United.
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“You remember I was sitting, you [Ferdinand] were next to me, and Andu [Anderson] was on the other side. And Anderson was… he was like really open. Free spirit. Yeah, free spirit, like high-fiving people, you know,” the Bulgarian explained.
When asked what his direct advice for Šeško is, Berbatov replied, “Be confident in yourself. Be arrogant in a way that demands the ball from your teammates when you make the run.
“And when you make a good run, if the ball doesn’t come for you, say it or express it in a way that your teammates will understand.”
United fans will remain confident in Sesko’s ability on the pitch, and he has shown confidence and appreciation for Manchester United since signing. Ruben Amorim will hope that his striker can withstand the pressures of having an entire nation watching ahead of a crucial season for him.
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