Jim White

Who would have imagined this?

Fri Jul 03 09:39AM

Sam Allardyce wouldn't touch him with a lengthy bargepole. Fabio Capello considers him entirely surplus to requirements. At Newcastle, the accountants have been desperate to get his enormous salary off the books before it drags the whole enterprise to the bottom of the Tyne.

Just about the only interest in securing his signature this summer had come from Stoke City. And yet, provided all goes well with his medical, today Michael Owen will be joining the Premier League champions. By five o'clock he will be a Manchester United player. How on earth did that happen?

Clearly Sir Alex Ferguson is a man buying on potential here, not recent history. Over the five years of his ill-starred, injury ravaged stay on Tyneside, Owen managed just 58 Premier League starts. He arrived from Real Madrid with a reputation as one of the most potent strikers in Europe, his signing a huge coup for the club. He leaves having seen his stock fall so low there was much talk in the papers that he would give up on football altogether and pursue full time his real interest in life, racing.

So what exactly is Ferguson doing? Does he really think that a ghost of a has-been is adequate replacement for those he has lost this summer? Will Owen - averaging a goal every fourth game for Newcastle and playing about as often as Led Zeppelin - really fill the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, who between them accounted for more goals in the last two seasons than Owen made appearances?

As it happens, Owen is not as old as he seems. He may seem to have been around since Methuselah was a kid, but in fact he is 29, younger than Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Nicolas Anelka. For a finisher, that is not remotely close to geriatric. True, the searing pace that used to earn him his goals has largely gone, but this is not a stupid player. He will have learned to compensate. And, with his enormous reserves of self-confidence, he will be convinced an injury-free run is all he needs to show he has it still.

Which is presumably what Ferguson sees in him. He recognises that Owen has a point to prove, a reputation to restore. Plus, he knows the player's affection for the World Cup. With the tournament to take place next summer and with the England manager wholly agnostic, Ferguson appreciates that Owen's anxiety to prove himself could serve United's cause well. The only way Owen will be on the plane to South Africa is if he has the season of his life. And the season of Michael Owen's life is something every manager would wish to have in their armoury.

Besides, Ferguson has made signings like this before. Although his preference is to buy younger players of potential - Ronaldo being the most successful example of the policy - he has recruited older players when he feels his squad needs experience. Teddy Sheringham was two years older than Owen when he went to Old Trafford in 1997 and yet Ferguson extracted 156 appearances from him (one of which was rather crucial). Henrik Larsson, meanwhile, was 35 when he came for a short loan in 2007. And Ferguson was desperate for him to stay longer.

What's more, for a club of United's resources, signing Owen on a free transfer and a largely performance-related deal involving a relatively modest guaranteed wage is not as significant a gamble as some of the ones he has had on the race course. If it comes off, it will be the signing of the season. And if it doesn't, well if nothing else it will confirm the prejudice of most United fans: they never rated him in the first place.

- - -

Jim White returns on Wednesday, July 15

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I still think Owen can do the business and this could be just as good for England as it is for united because if Fergie gets the best out of him which I think he can because Owen knows this is go for broke for him. He could just end up being in the form of his life for Englands world cup bid.
From jonkelly06 on Fri Jul 03 10:00AM
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Gerrard is younger than Owen
From sarahclark80 on Fri Jul 03 10:17AM
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i think this is a smart move, mu has nuthing to lose even owen didnt score much, he is still a hell of a good reserve when there is injury among berba or rooney. not to mention, owe n is free ., no transfer fee is needed why on earth not, he is still a world class typical striker until he failed again at united. even he failed, he is just another bench warmer like nani n tosac, no big deal cos fergie didnt need to invest a penny. i would say this is a super smart move.
From vincz99 on Fri Jul 03 10:36AM
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Last year in the Premiership:
Tevez 1860 minutes played 5 goals
Owen 1893 minutes played 8 goals
Cost to sign for Man U:
Tevez 25 million pounds
Owen less than a cup of coffee
Any more questions ?
Well done Fergie !
From yellowfrisbee on Fri Jul 03 11:41AM
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This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:52AM
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This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:53AM
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This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:53AM
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This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:54AM
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petulant scot
This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:54AM
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This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich......
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 11:59AM
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Poor Michael Owen, How the mighty have fallen. This is just a thumb yer nose excercise towards liverpool, fergie has made a former liverpool hero a manc player and will now leave him on the bench while chuckling between his sips of glennfiddich. YNWA
From nedsid2003 on Fri Jul 03 12:00PM
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I'm a Liverpool supporter, I still support him no matter where he plays. I think he was (and hope he still is) a sensational player. I would support him no matter where he plays (but as long as his team lose to Liverpool...he he)
YNWA
From c41ng0ku on Fri Jul 03 12:27PM
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What a world! Now that Owen is going to Manchester United, all of a sudden there is an air of optimism about the transfer from the same people calling for his retirement a few weeks back. Well, that is life. His destination has suddenly made him a hot property. I perceive that the relationship will be a disappointment come May with name calling and mudslinging ending it all.
From aremu_yomi on Fri Jul 03 12:28PM
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Great point number 5
Nothing to lose, a great deal to win.
From kestephenson on Fri Jul 03 12:30PM
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Owen is not like Gerrard....that y he move from Liverpool before..Gerrard is Liverpool fans so his heart is for Liverpool...while Owen if im not wrong is fans of Everton...same like Wayne...owh yea Teo Walcot is Liverpool fans...now he play for Gunner...cool ha?hehe
From luffylennon on Fri Jul 03 12:33PM
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What a stupid article. Ferguson has always liked Owen. It is a very good move, and was not unlikely. If he can stay injury free it could also prove to be a very inspired move.
From specialjon1 on Fri Jul 03 12:33PM
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I cant see why on earth United would want Owen?
I know he is free but it aint like they have no money to spend, plus they will still have to pay him a basic salary so if he is injured all season he will cost you more than you think.
I will also have a bet with anyone that even if he scores 20 goals next season he wont be going to the world cup if Capello is still in charge.
From danswaste on Fri Jul 03 12:44PM
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gut luck for owen fron liverpool fans.we wont forget your heroic career for liverpool fc
From ryan_roshan19 on Fri Jul 03 12:45PM
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number 5 makes a great point owen would be a great signing for manchester united
bolton fan
From davewray2002 on Fri Jul 03 12:46PM
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They are thinking of the all round player and team, Valencia put in more crosses and completed more passes than Ronaldo did last season and was only beaten on goals, so you nedd a striker who can get on the end of decent crosses, is good in the air and can poach in the box, something United have lacked last the couple of years. I think it could be a great move for all parties concerned.
From mrh_jr on Fri Jul 03 12:52PM
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It`s time for Fergie to retire, he`s really lost the plot. Signing Owen is a sign Fergies lost his marbles.
From johnhannon on Fri Jul 03 12:55PM
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I could see this signing coming, he is only going to be cover for Berba and Rooney and which other striker he signs, Fergie is the best manager in the world he knows what he is doing!!
From ben_wilson21 on Fri Jul 03 01:02PM
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johnhannon - How can you say Fergie has lost his Marbles?? 3 PL's in 3 years 2 CL finals, domestic cups etc, id say he is still doing a fine job wouldnt you??
From ben_wilson21 on Fri Jul 03 01:03PM
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Lets say we didn't sign anyone this window. We still have Macheda, Campbell, and Welbeck on the roster. None of these guys are proven yet, but I can't be the only one whose been impressed by the little that I've seen. They may not all turn into world beaters, but the skills are definately there to build on.
Forget about potentially resurrecting Owen's career for a second. What does signing Owen in general say to the young up and comers in our squad? I'm pretty sure I could understand being left in the reserve side because we just signed Aguero or Huntelaar, but Owen? OWEN? Give me a bloody break.
From tevez_united on Fri Jul 03 01:06PM
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yellowfrisbee very well put, just wait for the hat trick against Liverpool that will be the icing on the cake
Last year in the Premiership:
Tevez 1860 minutes played 5 goals
Owen 1893 minutes played 8 goals
Cost to sign for Man U:
Tevez 25 million pounds
Owen less than a cup of coffee
Any more questions ?
Well done Fergie !
From timbarwell on Fri Jul 03 01:09PM
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RE: 5...yellowfrisbee
Last year in the Premiership:
Tevez 1860 minutes played 5 goals
Owen 1893 minutes played 8 goals
Seriously, did Owen play more than Tevez last season??? I'm not so sure abt this... anyone care to confirm?
Anyway, I do think that SAF is making the best piece of business... no further motivation required for Owen to perform during a world cup season is there?
From aojk7164 on Fri Jul 03 01:11PM
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keep him a year and flog to Real Madrid again 50 million simple
From timbarwell on Fri Jul 03 01:11PM
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Fergie is the best business man in the football industry! This deal is perfect for both parties.
For United, they get him on a free transfer and will cut down his pay to at least 50,000 including a pay as you play agreement. All they have to do is hope he stays fit. If that happens, my point will be proven. If it dosen't, easy; United will just release him after the season.
For Owen, this is the biggest break of his life. Shine, and you are in South Africa (and we all know what that means). Flop, and you hang your boots!
Fergie will surely, as always, have the last laugh!
From honskaj on Fri Jul 03 01:12PM
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luffylennon just for your information Gerrard was an Everton supporter as a kid not a red.
From manafromheaven on Fri Jul 03 01:13PM
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I predicted on Yahoo Q n A 4 weeks ago that Owen would end up at Utd. He didn't want to be at Newcastle last year his body language was all wrong and he wanted out. Ok, so he's had injuries and is overweight but Ferguson will get him fit again and get 20 goals a season out of him As a proven striker he's the bargain of the year. Alex you're a genius !
From garyindiana74 on Fri Jul 03 01:15PM
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