Was Berbatov Out Of Order?

Yesterday I commented on the article which appeared in The Sun, with Dimitar Berbatov signing a Manchester United shirt. Whether the whole thing was set up or not, to me, it seemed entirely inappropriate that a player under contract with another club would sign our shirt.

“No one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream,” said Berbatov in response to being questioned about wanting to join United, making strikingly similar comments Cristiano Ronaldo in regards to Real Madrid.

A couple of days after revealing his dream, there are pictures of him in the tabloids signing a Manchester United shirt.

Now, can you imagine if Ronaldo was seen signing Real Madrid’s shirt just after saying he dreamed of playing for them? Whilst I’m not massively concerned about Spurs fans’ feelings, I am really starting to wonder about Berbatov’s character. We already know he’s a mardy bastard and this just shows him up as a bit of an idiot. He wants to leave Spurs, we all know this, but these below-the-belt tactics aren’t appreciated here.

Do you think he was out of line?

“Tottenham fans are no exception to any others – they support the team and get behind the side,” said Spurs manager Ramos. “If a player is on form, if he knocks in a couple of goals then I’m sure anyone who booed him last week will soon be getting behind him and cheering him. That is what it is like.”

I think I would find it rather hard to forgive a player who was blatantly disrespecting the club by signing the shirt of another team.

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15 Comments

gautam August 22, 2008

its possible that he didnt even notice after his long flight

Gapi August 22, 2008

No.

azza August 22, 2008

hu cares!! lets jus sign him up!!

Matt August 22, 2008

@ gautam

Exactly my thoughts.

Mic August 22, 2008

I don't think he's out of order, the fan is more out of order if he knew about the speculation but had Berba refused to sign the shirt well one: it'd be disrespectful to the supporter, it's not his fault he's a United fan (assuming it's not a set up), two: had he refused it might show his disrespect to United and therefore hampering his move to us and three: It's just a shirt, honestly, hand on heart, I wouldn't be annoyed had Ronaldo signed a Madrid shirt, it's the fan who's at fault for handing him that to sign but if that's what he wants signed 'cuz he's a United fan then no one can blame him.

Liam August 22, 2008

I've been saying this for ages. We don't need 2 Ronaldos with regards attitude and he is very similar to Roovez in the way that he plays as more of a second striker. The worst thing is the price. In no way has he ever or will be worth over 20m

PIt August 22, 2008

I don't think he signed intentionally. Someone set him up. No normal professional can do that

Giles Oakley August 22, 2008

I think he was out of order. I remember wincing when Paul Ince donned a United shirt before signing, and it didn't augur well for his behaviour later on. Berbatov is a terrific player, but I want people who aspire to play for United to show the highest standards of sportsmanship and respect for fellow professionals, and fans. I know that's old fashioned, but there it is.

Gary August 22, 2008

Come on this is being ridiculous. He was not out of order. It was obviously just a Bulgarian United fan who handed out his shirt for Berbatov to sign seeing that he was signing autographs for people, whats he supposed to say? No I'm not signing that? Its harmless!

Veer August 22, 2008

We don't need Berba to win the league again!!

7Bestie7 August 22, 2008

I heard (not sure it was true) that during one massive signing session at the Bridge Jay-Tee was thrown a United top and asked to sign it. He did.

Let's put it this way. You're a rock star, married, and a groupie asks you to sign her cleavage. Are you cheating on your wife by doing it or are you just accommodating a really bizarre request?

theboy August 22, 2008

no one complained (well not over here anyway), when carlos wore a united top in a press conference a few years ago. i suppose he wasn't linked with us then, but i'd say that was a tad cheekier!

Britus August 22, 2008

Oh come on! It's clear that paranoia rules, because the only other explanation is congenital stupidity. Set up (by the papers) or not, who gives a flying fart and what possible difference can it make?

OTRed August 22, 2008

Good gesture, bad and idiotic timing, he should have known better in the midst of all the speculation surrounding his future, he still chose to sign a Man Utd shirt, he's been in England for 2years now, he should know what the English press is like and should have thought of it. Had this been 3years ago, no one would have batted an eyelid, but he was being stupid for choosing to do that now.

@the boy: No one complained over here, because at that time, i doubt anyone knew he would be with us, neither was there any speculation linking him with us and he had not handed in a transfer request three day prior....massive difference. Also if I remember correctly, he got either a suspension or a fine, i can't remember which.

No United fan can admit with a straight face that he/she would be thinking its no big deal if Ronaldo had signed a Madrid shirt when his move to Madrid was thought to be imminent.

@7Beastie7: Totally irrelevant, here's a better scenario for you to answer. Lets say the rockstar(Jim), and the groupie(Sarah) had been linked to each other previously or there had been rumours that Jim was cheating on his wife with Sarah, and then Jim was seen signing Sarah's boobs? What would his wife think???? The scenario above is a lot closer to the Berbatov shirt signing thing than what you said.

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