Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who announced last year his withdrawal as captain of the national team, may be heading back to Bulgaria after the international retirement failed to boost his club career as expected, reports say.

Berbatov, who travels home to watch his country play as he did earlier this month for the England game in Sofia, might just consider performing an international U-turn, the British tabloid Daily Star sensationally reported.

According to the article it has become harder than ever for Berbatov to get a game with United through the sensational form of Wayne Rooney, the return to fitness of Javier Hernandez and the development of Danny Welbeck.

That would, at least, give him some match action – and his return would be welcomed by his country, the article says.

Dimitar Berbatov said earlier this month that he is not part of the national team because of "some people in the Bulgarian Football Union".

"He only knows how to criticize but he can't see what he looks like," Berbatov said, referring to Yordan Lechkov, best known as a key member of the Bulgarian football squad that finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Lechkov, who is currently serving as mayor of the town of Sliven, did not hesitate to strike back, insulting Berbatov. According to him the Manchester United striker "is the best football player among artists and the best artist among football players".

Dimitar Berbatov announced at the beginning of May last year his retirement from international football with immediate effect. He was captain of his country and scored a national record 48 goals in just 74 matches.

He has repeatedly said that the decision about leaving Bulgaria's national football team was not taken lightly, but it is final.

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