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Owen set for shock Man Utd move: reports

Fri 03 Jul, 03:12 PM


LONDON (AFP) - Premier League champions Manchester United are set to sign out-of-favour England striker Michael Owen on a surprise free transfer deal, according to press reports on Friday.

The move could be tied up later in the day if Owen passes a medical.

Owen's contract with Newcastle, relegated from the top-flight last season, lapsed on July 1.

It seemed the only clubs interested in signing the 29-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker were Stoke and Hull -- both Premier League sides but teams for whom staying up was an achievement in itself.

However, they now appear to have been joined by United, who have seen forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez both leave Old Trafford since the end of last season.

United manager Alex Ferguson is reportedly planning to sign Owen, whose time at Newcastle was blighted by a succession of injury problems, on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Owen's weekly wage at Newcastle, for whom he scored 10 goals last season, was believed to be around 120,000 pounds but reports said he would take a substantial paycut to sign for a leading Premier League club.

The forward, who has scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances, has yet to persuade England coach Fabio Capello he has a future at international level.

But Owen's career could be rejuvenated by playing alongside the likes of striker Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

United have yet to make a public comment about the proposed deal.

 

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

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  1. With the possible signing of Owen and now sending­ Possebon out on loan when it is as plain as the dangly­ bits on a dog that United are short of midfielders, I­ am now convinced that Ferguson has lost the plot. God­ help us next season!

    From BRIAN, on Fri 3 Jul 5:43PM

  2. whatever happens man united could just sit him on the­ bench in a man united top and p.i.s.s. of the scum pool­ supporters or he will play and score goals so either­ way its win win

    From reddevils_4life99, on Fri 3 Jul 5:01PM

  3. whatever happens man united could just sit him on the­ bench in a man united top and p.i.s.s. of the scum pool­ supporters or he will play and score goals so either­ way its win win

    From reddevils_4life99, on Fri 3 Jul 5:01PM

  4. whatever happens man united could just sit him on the­ bench in a man united top and p.i.s.s. of the scum pool­ supporters or he will play and score goals so either­ way its win win

    From reddevils_4life99, on Fri 3 Jul 5:01PM

  5. Owen fits for Man U's jersey!

    From Angelos, on Fri 3 Jul 3:39PM

  6. not convinced. he had a great spell at Liverpool but­ if he couldn't help keep Newcastle up then why­ would SAF want him to try to win the league and­ Champions League? I'm sure if Benzema was signed­ this would not even be a consideration. I'd rather­ see welbeck and macheda play up front.

    From dankenneally, on Fri 3 Jul 3:12PM

  7. how can it be fact, if the season hasnt started­ yet...der... Utd will march on, cristiano will be­ missed, but fergies plans normally work! We shall­ see...Wazza`s year to shine...

    From g.samroo, on Fri 3 Jul 3:08PM

  8. lol micheal owen to man utd ha ha ha ha ha ha ha im a­ liverpool fan we had him when he was at his best no no­ no way near that now man utd are making big slip ups­ this season i just no it ronaldo gone tevez gone not­ sighned anyone as yet man utd will be lucky to finnish­ in the top 3 this season . AND THATS A FACT.

    From jessicamccormack1, on Fri 3 Jul 3:01PM

  9. OWEN TO MAN UTD HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHA Bench­ warmer for 100,000 a week; waste of space.

    From Greenjob, on Fri 3 Jul 2:58PM

  10. Just don't understand this move - Totally injury­ prone, and , when Shearer took over at Noocastle, he­ only had 3 attempts at goal - Not Goals - Attempts! For­ a guy who is on thousands a week, that is simply­ abysmal... He was more or less 2nd division material­ not long after leaving Liverpool... Think the Govan­ mumbler has made a booboo here.

    From NokturnalKelt, on Fri 3 Jul 2:47PM

  11. i'm not a man utd fan but, if owen can stay fit he­ would score goals for any team.
    don't forget, you­ are not paying for him except on a pay as you play­ basis.

    From barriew, on Fri 3 Jul 2:41PM

  12. THIS IS GETTING POSTED ON THE NEWCASTLE SITE. WHY?­­ BEATS ME. MOST PEOPLE UP HERE COULDN'T GIVE A RATS­­ A $$ ABOUT MICHELLE OWEN, OR WHERE ON GODS EARTH THE­­ LITTLE MERCENARY B@$TARD ENDS UP PLYING HER TRADE..

    From SHAUN, on Fri 3 Jul 2:41PM

  13. Finally Owen will get a chance to lift the EPL ... he­­ always knew he would not win it with­ Loserfools!­
    Welcome to Man United Micheal Owen :)

    From Alien11, on Fri 3 Jul 10:51AM

  14. Please God, NO !!

    The divingwelshnonce in a United­ shirt would be than I could bear.

    From nikyates, on Fri 3 Jul 10:11AM

  15. lol oh how desperate must ManU be.........

    From robert f, on Fri 3 Jul 9:34AM
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