Ruud van Nistelrooy has told Dimitar Berbatov stick it out at Manchester United, despi
te his Old Trafford nightmare.
The Hamburg striker said: "I can empathise with his situation. He cost £30million, there were big expectations and they haven't been met so far.
"He isn't playing regularly - he plays but not always - so, of course, that's a disappointment because expectations are sky high.
"But I think that, when he has the support of the manager and the lads, that he should just carry on and turn it around.
"I don't think he should leave yet. This is his second year so I think that he should give it another year at least - I wouldn't leave United that easily. I know what its like when you've left - when it's gone it doesn't come back anymore."
Van Nistelrooy, 33, responded to the pressure of being England's most expensive player - at £19m - by scoring 36 goals in his first season at Old Trafford.
Berbatov, however, continues to struggle with his huge price tag and has hit just 12 goals this season.
Van Nistelrooy quit United four years ago after five glittering years in which he hit 150 goals in 219 appearances.
The Dutchman's goals clinched the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. But Berbatov has played only a fringe role in the club's trophy bid this season and has been linked with a move to AC Milan.
Yet Van Nistelrooy, who swapped Old Trafford for Real Madrid and won two La Liga titles has urged Berbatov to enjoy his time at United while he can.
He said: "I had a fantastic time at United. I will remember five unbelievable years, from (age) 25 to 30.
"But I was lucky. I was lucky to play with Madrid, which is probably (on a par) with United.
"Where can you go after United? Probably there's only Madrid. Any other thing isn't the same.
"And now I know what it is. On Tuesday I was watching the Champions League and today I'm preparing for a Europa League semi-final.
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