L'il Mikey Owen - Great Move
Fri Jul 03 04:03PM
So, you're Sir Alex and you're just coming off of a season where you've lived through three (OK, four) strikers (you have to include CRon as a striker) complaining about playing time and generally making your life miserable. Looking at their resumes, you can't really blame them. The World Player of the Year. The "Best English Striker of his Generation", The big summer acquisition, and the high profile South American with the big reputation. Throw in some up-and-coming youngsters and you really have some selection headaches.
Assuming you really didn't have a choice about CRon leaving - you can say anything you'd like about his attitude, etc. but you don't let him go for any amount of money unless you don't have a choice - and you didn't really try too hard to keep Carlito around you really have to figure that a decided change of strategy was in order.
Now, imagine further that you're pining for days gone by when you could actually compete with Real Madrid for players (or at least that's the way you remember it). You remember that you had two well-defined starting strikers (Ruud/Saha, Ruud/Rooney, Ruud/Ole, etc.) and a third striker who knew his role and wasn't going to agitate if he didn't start every match. This generally tended to be a formerly top-class striker on the downside of his career realizing that he was no longer capable of playing 90 every day. That said, these guys were still very capable of being extremely effective in spot starts plus a more regular dose of 20 or 30 minutes cameos off the bench. Sherringham, Cole, and Ole all evolved into this role. The alternative has been a young guy on the way up (see Forlan, Diego; Rossi, Guissepe).
Why do I mention this? Well, obviously because of the shock and surprise that seems to be coming from all quarters about the seemingly inevitable arrival of Michael Owen at Old Trafford. Should we be surprised? No, no more than we would be with Wenger recruiting a new continental 17 year-old attacking midfielder. This is what Sir Alex does. It's the formula that has always worked for him. He has his two de facto starting strikers - Rooney and Berbs - his up and coming options in Macheda and Welbeck and his crafty veteran available when the stage is perhaps a little to large for the youngsters to be counted on.
How does this not make all the sense in the world? It maximizes Owen's chances of being effective by not putting too much pressure on him to try to play 90 minutes on a regular basis. He can avoid the shame of lacing them up for the likes of Hull or Stoke. It fits SAF's formula. And even more importantly, the price is right which leaves SAF all that CRon money to buy an actual midfield.
Are ManYoo clearly the choice to win the Premier League now? Not at all but that has everything to do with the lack of a right wing, attacking midfielder, and holding midfielder and nothing to do with the lack of striking options. We haven't heard much about David Silva recently - might want to spend some of that extra money to give Valencia an opposite number. I'd suggest Robben but he doesn't seem like a SAF kind of guy (injured too often, moody, quiet, etc.). There are a wide variety of Dutch central midfielders available as well (Sneidjer, van der Vaart, etc.) who aren't likely to see a minute at Real this season.
If you put an improved midfield behind Rooney, Berbs, Owen, Macheda, and Welbeck then you might really have something.
What am I saying? I'm a fan of this move assuming that he can find some midfielders who want to play in England.
donv08
plastic glory hunting fans?do you mean to say that all liverpool fans live in liverpool ehhh i dont think so change the record don08 and think of something new been a lifelong man utd supporter and yes attend as many games as i can even though i dont live in manchester as for glory hunting why not i follow the best its just another bitter and twisted liverpool fan that cant think of anything contructive to say what are you doing on this blog anyway nothing happening at anfield?or is your chippy shut.
From adrian.dennis2486 on Wed Jul 08 06:52PMWord is Ya Ya Toure for Old Trafford, that enough ofa holding midfielder for you.Babolat is right, Tevez was nota big name until the fiasco at West Ham and he did not score often enough for a Manchester United first choice striker. That's why he's probably going to middle eastlands 'cos he only scores once in a blue moon.
From redgeoff on Wed Jul 08 09:43PMto #30.fos1 what i find appalling is politically correct @#$% such as you that would have us talk about anything that we really think about and go about saying bland s@#*t,yes man yoo has prestige and NO! hull does not
From opn4bznz on Wed Jul 08 11:01PMthere's nothing wrong with united's midfield or wingers. Anderson, Carrick, hargreaves, valencia, fletcher and gibson rotating the midfield according to opposition. Obertan, Nani, Park, Rafael, Fabio and Tosic rotating on the wings. Sounds good to me!!
From mathewdionyssiou on Thu Jul 09 01:49AMFerguson is a fantastic manager. ManU might not win trophies next season, but they are building a great team within 3 years. And by the way, I would not write ManU off for the next Champions Leauge. Real has a LOT of world class players, but unfortunately they can field only 11 at a time on the pitch. Barca, Chelsea and Liverpool the other usual suspects. Maybe Inter, for some reason eternal underachievers in Europe. And let me add Juve, with the addition of Diego, Cannavaro (will he regain fitness not too far from his best?) and Felipe Melo. Milan without Kaka, Maldini and Ancelotti will play no role.
From giovannitardini on Thu Jul 09 10:10AMI think SAF is doing the right thing here. The transfer market is way over priced at the moment and we should wait for things to settle down before spending the money from Rons sale. Why pay £80m now for a player who's worth £40m. Stick the money in the bank and use it in the future when you can get better value.
From mwarmstrong on Thu Jul 09 12:01PMVery good article and some fairly adult reponses in ledgible english.
I too, thought that robben fits the bill. But, one he was shown round old trafford and was very, very close to signing. Acertain mr peter kenyon then intervened and showed robben chelsea/big money. The rest as they say is history.
On top of that, can we really see SAF going to real madrid .. can we have robben please, no , me neither.
Finally Donov08 what a cretin, if u see a shop selling brain cells, go in and spend your giro on a few.
From jrobertson999 on Thu Jul 09 11:11PMGreat article guys. Is anyone considering Owen from a fantasy perspective? Over at premierleague.com he is 8.5m which is probably too high. However, when the CL fixtures start rolling in he might get a good run of games and coule prove great value.
If anyone is interested in discussing the pl.com game, I have relaunched my blog at blogger (fantasypremierleague.blogspot).From chrisglover85 on Fri Jul 10 11:08AMgood article.EOM
From labocanabeach on Fri Jul 10 06:36PMI've said it before and I'll say it again: Ferguson has forgotten more about the practical realities of top football management than most of us will ever know. Nobody's perfect and he's made mistakes like everyone else can - but signing Owen was obviously a thought-out move and personally I'm prepared to believe that Sir Alex knows what he's doing - at least, I don't presume from my own position of never having managed even an under-twelve local Sunday team to question his judgment before the season has even started.
From bretorne on Sat Jul 11 09:14AMwell at least man utd pays only weekly wages for owen's goals (if he does score).... not some ridiculous transfer fee to other club (see robbie keane)....
nonetheless, i still think fergie should sign another useful attacking midfielder and holding midfielder, as Giggs and Scholes aren't get any younger....
From fung9815 on Sat Jul 11 09:44AMI realise this has nothing to do with Owen, but............
Last season Yahoo was up and running on or before the 10th July, and with the little information we are given (nobody had any idea about the bizarre clean sheet rule until the the 1st week points came in) generally, is anyone else worried they may not run it this season?
All the other major fantasy games in the UK are up and running already, such as the official one on the premier league site, the Telegraphs, and even the Sun's.
From morreypaul on Sat Jul 11 02:33PMThe very best of luck to M.O. The strategy of picking up a player of his undoubted quality, to play for 30-45 if its not going that well, is hardly original ('Sparky' Hughes was superb, latterly, in the role at Stamford Bridge). Elsewhere, I have offered my views on the Frazier Campbell move. Perhaps C.R. may have been seduced for another couple of seasons if Man. U. had not gone a 'Bridge To Far' for Berbatov. Again, maybe Mourinho is moving ever closer to The North West?
From lairdrob49 on Sun Jul 12 07:46AMI think OWEN is great always have shame about injuries I think he will fit in great at Man U and I really hope he does get a winners medal and back in the England Squad he deserves it
my grandson is named Owen ater him when he was at Liverpool (thats who my son supports) I though am Man U supporter so good luck OWEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS SUPPORTING YOU.
From tommyparkinson on Sun Jul 12 02:11PMOwen is a USELESS signing and was taken on only because he will cost practically zilch! If he scores 5 goals all season, in all competitions, I will be stunned! And do you all realize that, with Beckham and Ronaldo gone, United have NO ONE who is capable of scoring from a free kick. Giggs hasn't done it, even once, in 4 seasons. It's time to make him head groundsman at Carnarvon Castle (sorry about the mis-spelling of that historic landmark). By the way, did you know that Owen's ancestors were all Welsh? That just about says it all.
From furrypaws240135 on Mon Jul 13 02:16AMCan you blame him. How demoralising to play for the toons (love that nonsense)At least now you have found your true level and you can all wake up though I expect your fans to still be as deluded as ever.
From doctorfeelgoodcanvey on Mon Jul 13 08:26AMI have always liked Owen, and he has had a hard run the past couple of seasons due to injury and low performance. But there is something about leaving a relagted team and joining the current champions that I think will re-energize him. Yea he was injured a lot, yea he probably didn't care that much to help newcastle out of the relagation battle (which is bad on him) but joining United will probably give him a confidence boost to try and perform better, atleast I hope he does, but not against Liverpool
From kellz_86 on Mon Jul 13 05:20PM(47) Carrick scored one goal over the last two years from a set piece. But I understand your point. I think that's why Ronaldo just wasn't as good last year for fantasy points. He usually puts in 3-4 SPGs per year. I only remember one or two last year.
I don't understand city. Now that they've signed Tevez, they are looking at Adebayor(sorry I won't use that stupid nickname). Just how many strikers do they need?
From gentrykirby on Mon Jul 13 09:42PM@50: It would be exciting to see City make a run for the top 5, but your absolutely correct, they are trying to sign 5-6 strikers, not to mention all of whom want first team action. I don't think its Hughes spending the money wrong, I think its the Saudi group wanting big names at the club without realizing the mechanics of a football organization let alone how to run a team. Signing Barry was a good move, trying to sign every striker is going to sink the ship. City is an enigma.
From kellz_86 on Mon Jul 13 10:23PMwhen fantasy football 09/10 want open for this seasons...?????
hhuhuhuuuu
From azn_gilera576 on Tue Jul 14 06:50AMyeaahhh...!! Viera go to Spurs
From azn_gilera576 on Tue Jul 14 10:01AMRegarding mr keiltz remarks , a little amusing , he knocks what man u have done but forgets theve won the league for the last 3 years , whos got his head up his @#$% , sure aint fergie
From butchopr on Tue Jul 14 04:22PMRegarding mr keiltz remarks , a little amusing , he knocks what man u have done but forgets theve won the league for the last 3 years , whos got his head up his @#$% , sure aint fergie
From butchopr on Tue Jul 14 04:22PMnow we,ll see the real michael owen playing in a real exciting
football team . it will be excillerating to watch as the man finds
his true calling and the youth is restored before our very eyesFrom edwinwise27 on Tue Jul 14 05:03PMwho is keiltz?
From kellz_86 on Tue Jul 14 05:17PMHE HE, come on Man U your now emplying an aging scouser that you have all slagged off over the years, what happening!
From dajafu2002 on Wed Jul 15 12:57PMOwen needs teammates who can get him the ball with space. Newcastle didn't have them and neither do Hull or Stoke. Man U have the talent who can put him in the best position to score. If he fails he'll have no one to blame but himself.
From mogrify on Wed Jul 15 11:35PMSupporting any of the 'top four' is like going to the casino and cheering for the house.
From carloshoward2024 on Thu Jul 16 01:08AMHAHAHAHAHA MUNICH SCUM GORRA CROCK AND BERBADONKEY MAN CIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITY GOT A PROLIFIC INTERNATIONAL THANKS FERGIE................ C.T.I.D.
From mcpluker on Thu Jul 16 08:05AMno 62 Owens goals to game ratio was better than Tevez last season. As for Berba ye he was not great last year but imagine how bad he could have been if he signed for city
From gillysome on Thu Jul 16 03:52PM
Comment on this article
Please sign in to add your comments.
The Fantasist
Sport Newsletter
Catch up with all the latest news
Sign up to our free daily newsletter to recieve the latest news straight to your inbox. Make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Sign up now
This site is Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! and Eurosport. All rights reserved.
- Terms of Service
- Updated Privacy Policy
- Copyright/IP Policy
- Remarks and Suggestions
- Corporate info
- Jobs at Eurosport
Notice: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy.