Berba Outlines Title Plan

Dimitar Berbatov wants United to retain the Barclays Premier League title with games to spare - so he can enjoy the latter stages of the season for once.

The Bulgarian striker says the title run-in is a more positive experience for the punters than it is for the players, but if the Reds usurp Manchester City at the top sooner rather than later, then the pressure on him and his team-mates could dissipate.

"Hopefully, we can be in the top spot and claim the title before the season ends," Berbatov told MUTV. "Then, with two or three games left, we can relax. This is the plan and if we can fulfil that, it will be nice. We have experience and we have to stay fresh, but the most important thing is to win games and take points."

The 2011/12 title race is the fourth Dimitar has experienced since joining United from Sunday's opponents Spurs, and even though he's been a winner in two out of three so far, he says the challenge doesn't get any easier.

“I think it is maybe more enjoyable for the fans because it is always tense,” Berbatov explained.

“We don’t know who is going to win the games, who will take the points or who will stay on top and the last two or three months are always going to be difficult."

Berbatov also believes the quality of the opposition has improved during his time in England, and says this is particularly noticeable in the current campaign.

“Some teams have improved a lot from last season,” Berbatov noted. “Manchester City have done really well and our next opponents, Tottenham, have also done well - which is no surprise to anybody because they have a good squad. I was surprised by Newcastle, too, who are playing some good football.

“Every Premier League team is improving. It has become more difficult for the so-called top-four teams to stay at the top because everybody is working hard to steal those positions. This is good for the fans because they can enjoy more competitive games. The football has improved, too.”

Sunday’s trip to North London concludes a tough run of games for United following recent clashes with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. After Spurs, the Reds’ next seven fixtures are against teams who are all in the lower half of the table. But while many fans might hold understandably high expectations heading into such a schedule, Berbatov is more wary of the challenges posed by the so-called strugglers.

“We need to give credit and respect to the teams at the bottom because they are fighting for their survival," he said. "When we play them, they play at the top of their strengths, especially at their grounds. That makes it even more difficult for us,.”