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Berbatov reveals confidence issues

Dimitar Berbatov struggled to find top form during his first two seasons at Old Trafford © PA Photos

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Dimitar Berbatov admits he has regularly been low on confidence since joining Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

The Bulgaria international endured a difficult first two seasons at United, often finding himself on the bench after failing to prove his worth as a partner to Wayne Rooney.

But Berbatov has stepped out of the shadows this season, cementing his status as the Red Devils' most lethal striker with 19 goals in 22 Premier League starts.

Asked if he had ever lost confidence during his time at United, he responded: "Of course, many times. Sometimes you don't play well or you don't score and in those times the pressure comes from all around you, as well as from yourself.

"You can find yourself doubting yourself. But that's when you need to keep faith and realise everything is going to be okay."

Berbatov has been critical of United's shaky away form, which threatens to derail their charge towards a 19th league championship. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have lost three times on the road in the Premier League this season, including back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool.

Although those losses dealt a blow, the bigger problem has been United's tendency to draw matches away from home, with eight stalemates so far this term - but Berbatov insists his team-mates have never settled for a point.

"We never go into a game looking for a draw or thinking we'd be happy with a point," he said. "We aim to win each game. The difficulty is that other teams lift their game when they play Manchester United."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.