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Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has hit back astonishingly at critics of his footballing style, saying "people can go f*** themselves".

Berbatov gained a reputation for his languid yet eye-catching style during a career that took him from his native Bulgaria to Tottenham Hotspur, to United and then onto clubs like AS Monaco and Fulham.

He hit 48 league goals in 108 appearances for United and picked up two Premier League winners' medals, in 2009 and 2011, but admits he was irked by critics who suggested he lacked work rate and desire on the pitch.

"It is probably because I didn't play like [Wayne] Rooney or [Carlos] Tevez," Berbatov said in an interview with Goal , asking about accusations that he was 'lazy'.

"I didn't like that because I can show you six or seven current world-class players who run less than me back then. When you label something like that, it sticks. Even if it isn't true.

"People can go f*** themselves. People don't understand and try to look smart. I would check my stats after every game and I was running 10-11km every game. It doesn't make any difference for me. I was more bothered how I move and make space."

Berbatov added that he was always respected by his teammates and enjoyed several productive strike partnerships throughout his career.

"I had Wayne Rooney and Robbie Keane," he added on those partners.

"Even if you don't speak a lot outside the pitch, you respect each other for what you do on the pitch. You see what each other can do and how you help each other get better. In turn, you help the team. Everyone wins."

Sir Alex Ferguson was a champion of Berbatov during their time together at Old Trafford, with the Bulgarian admitting he tried deliberately to catch the eye with his football.

He became known at United for his ability to produce the sublime, for example the overhead kick he scored against Liverpool and an outrageous turn and flick to set up Cristiano Ronaldo against West Ham.

He argued that a team needs a blend of style and substance — as United had in that time.

"I wanted people to say 'wow, I want to try that'," he admitted.

"Then you see it isn't as easy as it looks. This is what I wanted to do. It didn't affect my game because this is who I am. I have my way of seeing football, not everyone can see it in the same way.

"Everyone is different. It helped me get to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Of course, you can't play with 11 artists on the pitch. It is not going to happen, you need...not 11 of me.

"You need aggression. That player is a bully with a tooth missing, grass and blood on their shirt. You ask someone like Vida [Nemanja Vidic], 'are you okay?' He goes 'I am f*cking great'. You appreciate what he is doing for you. He gets the ball, gives it to you. You can then do the magic."