Bulgarian international and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has spoken of his experiences and personal feelings in the aftermath of his debut season at Old Trafford, branding it as a "flop" and a "failure", English tabloid The Sun reported on October 2 2009.

According to revelations, the Bulgarian felt uncomfortable with the aura of the place, the pressure that came with "playing for Manchester United"; the very thought of playing for a club of such stature, its history - it all came with substantial baggage, a baggage which, added to the fan's expectations, affected his performance and gave him many "sleepless nights".

Berbatov for the first time has spoken of self-doubt, and of insecurity and how he was "plagued by United's former legends".

 "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," he said, quoted by The Sun.

Regarding the dissatisfaction of some United supporters with his work rate, effectiveness and attitude on the pitch, and some allegations that he is a "Berbasloth", Berbatov put on a defiant face, saying "that is my fault, not theirs. It is me who must change".

"Manchester United are their club. They have treated me perfectly since I came."

At the end of last season, on June 1 2009,  the UK's Daily Telegraph branded  the 31 million pounds sterling transfer of Berbatov from Tottenham to United as the "second worst football transfer in the Premier League".

"The Bulgarian may have scored more goals than Stoke's Dave Kitson (then again, who hasn't?), but he edges out the former Reading striker because he cost six times as much, and has made a similarly negligible impact for his new club," the Telegraph wrote at the time.

"Expected to add an extra dimension to Alex Ferguson's attacking trident, Berbatov only actually appears to have created headaches for the United boss, all for a great value price of just £30.75million".

The Bulgarian then was placed second in the infamous list, led by David Bentley, whose transfer from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham was branded the worst of the season, Jimmy Bullard (from Fulham to Hull City) in third, Fabio Coloccini (signed by Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna) in fourth, and, finally, Ricardo Quaresema (from Inter Milan to Chelsea) in fifth.

Regardless, many United fans have stood by Berbatov and defended him and his unique vision of the game. Alex Ferguson himself was always first to defend his player, dismissing criticism of Berbatov as mere media hype with nothing substantial in it.

"Berbatov is a fantastic link between the midfield and attack. He has that sense of space and senses this space in the last third, his work rate is amazing," he told the club's website.

Meanwhile, Berbatov is looking on the positive side, confident that this season will be more successful for him than last. Determined to help fill in the void left by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Bulgarian is aware that it will be down to him, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen to score more goals if the team are to defend their Premiership crown successfully.

"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," he told The Sun.