Jim White

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

  1. I KNEW IT, I ABSOLUTELY KNEW IT!!!!
    White the S(hite) couldn't wait to jump on this bandwagon!
    You are a disgrace to journalism White.

    cameronwestwoodFrom cameronwestwood on Fri Jul 03 01:17PM

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  2. This just shows how much of a @#$% Rafa is, and how Fergie is a much better manager. Being a liverpool fan, the first signing I would have made this season is Owen. Last season we struggled to score goals, Owen would have been a great option, due to him being on a free. I hope his medical goes well and Man U sign him, and he show Rafa what a @#$% he was for not signing him. Makes me think about defecting myself. Sack Rafa the @#$%.

    mrferrariFrom mrferrari on Fri Jul 03 01:20PM

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  3. This just shows how much of a idiot Rafa is, and how Fergie is a much better manager. Being a liverpool fan, the first signing I would have made this season is Owen. Last season we struggled to score goals, Owen would have been a great option, due to him being on a free. I hope his medical goes well and Man U sign him, and he show Rafa what a @#$% he was for not signing him. Makes me think about defecting myself. Sack Rafa the t**t.

    mrferrariFrom mrferrari on Fri Jul 03 01:21PM

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  4. Its so hard 2 imagine wat AF is thinkin. Owen is past his peak n ön a decline @ club n national team level. I op dis won't b a regretable purchase. Let give him an element of doubt dis season.

    boyzbelieve2000From boyzbelieve2000 on Fri Jul 03 01:25PM

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  5. Its so hard 2 imagine wat AF is thinkin. Owen is past his peak n ön a decline @ club n national team level. I op dis won't b a regretable purchase. Let give him an element of doubt dis season.

    boyzbelieve2000From boyzbelieve2000 on Fri Jul 03 01:25PM

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  6. If Rafa was not such an idiot he would sign Owen. I surpose this just shows how much better a manager Fergie is compared to Rafa. Being a Liverpool fan Owen would have been my first signing. I hope his medical goes well and he show Rafa what an idiot he is for not signing him. With Rafa in charge of Liverpool I feel like defecting myself.

    mrferrariFrom mrferrari on Fri Jul 03 01:27PM

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  7. So, he's a "Utd target" now, watch Real bid for him. :D

    alexkzi89From alexkzi89 on Fri Jul 03 01:29PM

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  8. You Mancs are such mugs! Ronaldo was the best thing since sliced bread, then you sell him and it's "he was a tool anyway"! Then Owen was a hasbeen but all of a sudden "I really think he could do a job for us..."! Get a life you cretins! If Owen signs, he'll just be ending his career for the smallest club he's ever played for, a bit like Sheringham at Colchester! God you Mancs are so full of @#$%!

    brybart69From brybart69 on Fri Jul 03 01:32PM

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  9. Only a few short years ago Owen was the Wonderboy of English football - now apparently he is a useless piece of @$%* who doesn't know how to kick a ball (at least in the opinion of many seemingly sane individuals). Owen has been unlucky injury-wise, but he was and is one of the most talented players of his generation. Get real, for $#@%'s sake. I rather think Ferguson knows more about the realities of football at the highest level than the goons who chuck in their twopenceworths here.

    bretorneFrom bretorne on Fri Jul 03 01:34PM

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  10. no 28 he only count League play time minute only...

    luffylennonFrom luffylennon on Fri Jul 03 01:36PM

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  11. We all know if Owen stays fit he will score goals, especially with the guys we have to supply him. I know it's a big if, but hey,,,he is not gonna cost anything except wages. Even if we can keep him fit for half the games i think it could be a great signing.

    fandiagoFrom fandiago on Fri Jul 03 01:57PM

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  12. Owen, you've just re-inforced what Liverpool fans already thought of you.

    You'll never be regarded as a Liverpool great. To go to THOSE scumbags is the last straw.

    lcmpristFrom lcmprist on Fri Jul 03 01:58PM

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  13. We will still have to pay around 7 million in sponsership and things, its not exactly free, i dont think he is worth 1p, never mind the silly wage he will bring in each week

    loafer_11From loafer_11 on Fri Jul 03 02:08PM

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  14. To ryan No 20. wELL SAID LIKE A TRUE MAN. FROM A UNITED FAN AND MANC

    jrobertson999From jrobertson999 on Fri Jul 03 02:08PM

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  15. why is this place so full of know alls, even Owen can't know how a move to Utd would work out, yet people on here do. As for nedsid, I am sure Fergie has more important things to do then try to annoy Liverpool, and saying it 7 times doesn't make it more true.

    philkinghamFrom philkingham on Fri Jul 03 02:09PM

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  16. I did hear Stanley Mathews is thinking of pulling the old boots on again !!!!!!!
    What do you think Fergie "Give him a go"????

    clone2From clone2 on Fri Jul 03 02:12PM

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  17. Great business! Fergie is an absolute legend!

    jamesbroadfootFrom jamesbroadfoot on Fri Jul 03 02:15PM

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  18. do these idiots ever learn?11 premiership titles later they still doubt fergie as a utd fan i stopped doubting him years ago the mans a genuis this move is not even a risk no transfer involved but we here the same nonsense every year liverpool 4 the title arsenals young kids give me a break come may it will b number 12 title and rafa 4 jobseekers

    fitzpatrickstephen15From fitzpatrickstephen15 on Fri Jul 03 02:19PM

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  19. It wouldnt surprise me if Owen got injured during his medical

    justin_fryFrom justin_fry on Fri Jul 03 02:20PM

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  20. he will really suit the current mufc lot: devoid of personality, self-centred, living on reputation, long past their best . . . . etc

    c.hawcroftFrom c.hawcroft on Fri Jul 03 02:34PM

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  21. he will really suit the current mufc lot: devoid of personality, self-centred, living on reputation, long past their best . . . . etc

    c.hawcroftFrom c.hawcroft on Fri Jul 03 02:35PM

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  22. we'll show what m.owen is made of...we trust u fergie...go! go! man utd!

    asr1227From asr1227 on Fri Jul 03 02:35PM

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  23. Comment 5
    Tevez won you the league mate! owen will not! do you put a price on that? owen was a great player! tevez isn't as good but he does a different job for you! owen has to be the focal point! tevez does not! tevez can come in from the left! owen cannot! tevez can play a whole season, owen cannot! tevez is 25! owen is not! owen has to have the ball in the box on the floor! tevez does not! im sorry mate! i don't know how much you pay for a cup of coffie but £50,000 seems a bit steep to me ha ha ha. Face it! Utd are in a pickle and fergy is trying the oldest smokescreen in the book! if hull and stoke are the biggest competition for a player you are trying to sign then please don't do comparisions on a player who is good! and a player who was good!!!

    garethfeb80From garethfeb80 on Fri Jul 03 02:38PM

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  24. Comment 31! i think you'll find it was carragher who was the everton fan!!! gerrard has always been a red! before you contradict someone please get the name of the player right????

    garethfeb80From garethfeb80 on Fri Jul 03 02:46PM

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  25. hes our secret agent you tools,hel be contacting Raffa from the bogs,tactics,team selections.injury updates e.t.c.

    fneedleFrom fneedle on Fri Jul 03 02:47PM

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  26. Owen is a player who will always have to prove himself game by game, in my opinion his record speaks for itself, prelific scorer at all levels! You say his days at real madrid were a disaster, only because he was a fringe player, from outright and thats what he was bought for! When he got his chance at Madrid he proved himself as he always does! To go to stoke would be insulting, a team like Manu is where he belongs! I hope it reserects his career

    richards0l0From richards0l0 on Fri Jul 03 02:48PM

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  27. Mrferrari! you are a d**k my friend! where in gods name would micheal owen fit into rafa's system? have you watched liverpool over the last 4-5 years???? rafa would not sign owen after his demand for a move when he first got there! owen won us trophies on his own some days and was a great player! pace! pace was his game, he is still a good box player but liverpool don't need £50,000 on the bench week in week out so he may or may not get a few goals! just cos utd are signing an owen that, like giggs is still a good player but not the best (giggs should never have won player of the season with just 12 starts! thats reputation not form!) to me it shows that fergy is willing to take a chance on someone because all his top targets have fallen through!!! if fergy had wanted him all summer he would have been signed by now! look at it like this!! this is fergys last throw of the dice! Fabiano will not move! benzema has gone to madrid! ronaldo, tevez have gone! silva is going to madrid! villa to barca! torres went to liverpool! fergys days of singing the best have gone and this is a great day for football!!!!!

    garethfeb80From garethfeb80 on Fri Jul 03 02:54PM

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  28. timbarwell. minutes and goals are all well and good but
    do the Newcastle fans like Owen NO.
    Do the manure fans like Tevez YES.

    Why?
    Because one of them can be arsed and the other can't and i dont need to tell anyone which way round that is.

    rafaforpopeFrom rafaforpope on Fri Jul 03 03:01PM

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  29. All players can do really well at top clubs as they have the best training facilities and trainers to help, so i think this is a great move for him.

    johnnutt100From johnnutt100 on Fri Jul 03 03:05PM

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  30. mrferrari. Liverpool did not struggle for goals last season at all. Are you really a fan or just another fake trying to start trouble against the best manager in the prem with all the FACTS?

    rafaforpopeFrom rafaforpope on Fri Jul 03 03:07PM

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