Owen for United?

But that is Villa's job! So obviously he is going to do that. How do you know Torres isn't being specifically told to stay in the middle and occupy the central defenders? For Liverpool he certainly is, Rafa doesn't particularly want him to roam and get involved, he wants him in the area to get on the end of things. He is a striker, he is supposed to be direct and score goals, he doesn't need to be Totti. No one has ever claimed that he is anything like capable of that style of play. Nor does he have to be, it's not his job.

Simple through balls? Whats your point? Yes he is fast, yes he has the movement and timing to beat offside traps. He still scores most of his goals in other ways. Look at all 50 of them to see.

Is correct six!

Benitez's first words to Torres were something along the lines of;

"i want you to be in the area to score goals, not the wings, as that is why we have wingers"

Yes, I've seen people comparing Owen to Sheringham and Larsson, and his signing is in a similar vein, and he is a similar sort of player to those two nowadays - but I can't see Ferguson using him in a withdrawn role; I think, in Berbatov and Rooney, Ferguson already has two players who can play a withdrawn role better than Owen can; and I think Owen will add little to Man Utd as a striker.

I think, if they'd signed Tevez, or even if they'd signed Benzema, then Man Utd might have looked to play a 4-3-3 this season - with, for instance, Rooney and Tevez either side of Berbatov, with Anderson and Valencia either side of Carrick in the midfield, and with Evra and Rafael providing the team's width. I can't see them using Owen in a 4-3-3 formation. I think that would work only if Ferguson followed Keegan's tactic, and used Owen behind Berbatov, with Berbatov holding the ball and feeding Rooney up top. However, that is unconventional and I don't think it would get the best out of Rooney; otherwise, I think Berbatov and Owen will prove a slovenly strike partnership even with Rooney roaming behind them; and regardless, I think Ferguson will use Owen as his first back-up striker - I don't think he's signing him for Man Utd's first eleven.

So, if Man Utd are to play a 4-4-2 with Rooney and Berbatov the first choice strikers, who will they look to buy to enhance their first eleven? The obvious solution is that they spend on a goalscoring or else on a very creative attacking midfielder - on someone for the left wing and perhaps also on a central midfielder; or else they could possibly buy someone to play behind Rooney and Berbatov. In either case, I'm not sure it leaves space in the squad for all of Nani, Tosic and Park - but Man Utd won't look particularly strong if they sign Owen and don't significantly strengthen elsewhere.

I doubt very much that Owen would be their only signing this summer Basch.

They've got £115m to spend yet...

Still cant believe this nonsense. He didn't make the Newcastle team ffs.

So Owen is on £50k a week? Chinteresting!

Yes, certainly, FG - I'm sure Man Utd will spend some money this summer - I'm interested in where they will spend it - I'm sure that Ferguson has a plan for next season, but it is difficult at this stage to see what that plan is. Will they buy another forward after signing Owen? (my inclination is that they won't, but I don't think it is impossible); if they don't buy another forward, does that mean they will play with a 4-4-2 next season, and will they therefore look to strengthen their left flank despite already possessing Nani and Tosic?; if they rely on those players and strengthen elsewhere, in the centre of midfield and in defence, do people think they'll have enough in the attacking third?

Owen's earning £5.73 an hour but with performance based bonus payments which take his salery up to £115,000 a week

Radio 5 live have annouced Owen has signed a 2 year deal

And it's now on United's official site

Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has signed Michael Owen on a two year contract. The striker was out of contract, so no transfer fee is involved.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish”

Michael Owen said: "I had just begun to talk to other Clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment's thought.

This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.

I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.

I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances”

You're a nice guy Michael. But this is doomed from the start. Capello had the right idea. I hope he is the third choice and less used than Tevez was then i can just about stomach this nonsense.

L-r d wrote:You're a nice guy Michael. But this is doomed from the start. Capello had the right idea. I hope he is the third choice and less used than Tevez was then i can just about stomach this nonsense.

At this moment it is an excellent summer to be a Liverpool fan. Let's hope things don't change much in the coming weeks


Owen in a Man United shirt will be a very very strange sight

I just cant see how this will be a good buy, sorry Michael but I am writing you off.

Cant believe this has happened. What a mad signing.

I'm going to make a brochure and send it off to Fergie, could do with some easy money.

How will Liverpool fans feel seeing one of their legends playing for Man United??

borocooper wrote:How will Liverpool fans feel seeing one of their legends playing for Man United??

If he plays well for them I won't be pleased at all

As it is he was so desperate it was something no ex Liverpool player would have turned down in similar circumstances. It must be a tricky decision for a player to choose between Hull, Stoke and United

borocooper wrote:How will Liverpool fans feel seeing one of their legends playing for Man United??

Legend?

Kenny Dalglish has just re-joined the club, we're all very happy.

Michael Owen is not a Liverpool man, that much is clear by this transfer. I wish him all the best.

Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

TM wrote:Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

i know what id say if i was rooney..'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh not a fecking chance!'

Football Genius wrote:

borocooper wrote:How will Liverpool fans feel seeing one of their legends playing for Man United??

Legend?

Kenny Dalglish has just re-joined the club, we're all very happy.

Michael Owen is not a Liverpool man, that much is clear by this transfer. I wish him all the best.

Well..he's obviously a legend.

I've seen debates on here with who pool fans regard as legends and I would be amazed if Michael "14th player to have shook the Kop" Owen is not considered to be one of them.

You can't blame Owen, it was either Utd (CL football) or Hull.

Owen said United's interest in him came as a surprise, adding: "I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me over a few drinks."

Sgoater1 wrote:

TM wrote:Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

i know what id say if i was rooney..'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh not a fecking chance!'

they'll move Rooney's shirt number so all the kids have to buy a new shirt. They used to rotate Ferdinand's number from 5 to 6 every year until West Brown took 6 IIRC

Michael Owen has sealed his shock move to Manchester United.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker completed
a series of stringent medical tests this evening and has signed a
two-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.
Owen, 29, had earlier spent the day at United's Carrington
training complex as the terms of his free transfer were thrashed out,
after he lapsed out of contract with Newcastle at the end of last
month.
Speaking on the club's website, Sir Alex Ferguson said:
"Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at
the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to
Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that
Michael will relish."
Owen himself admitted that the move had come 'out of the blue.
"I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex
phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him
the next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I
agreed without a moment's thought," he said.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.
"I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player
and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I
missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at
Carrington from day one. "I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I
give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and
performances"
Owen had undergone a medical examination yesterday to
assess the troublesome knee which had sidelined him for much of his
stay at St James' Park.Despite his previous injury problems the
deal represents little risk to Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who
has been a long-time admirer of the 29-year-old."Michael is a
world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest
level and that has never been in question," said the United boss."Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish."It is believed Ferguson has struck a pay-as-you-play deal which will involve a basic weekly wage enhanced by bonuses.The
player has taken a significant pay cut from the £110,000 he was
reported to be on at Newcastle, for whom he scored 10 goals as they
were relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship last season.But it
is the lure of playing for the champions, with the promise of Champions
League football again, which excites Owen now as he tries to force his
way back into the reckoning with England coach Fabio Capello.Owen admitted United's approach came as much as a shock to him as it did the rest of football."I
had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex
phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him
next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me," he
said."I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands."I
am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am
fortunate that I already know so many of the players here."I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one."I
want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him
my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances."
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5414038,00.html

Karim Glennzema wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:

TM wrote:Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

i know what id say if i was rooney..'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh not a fecking chance!'

they'll move Rooney's shirt number so all the kids have to buy a new shirt. They used to rotate Ferdinand's number from 5 to 6 every year until West Brown took 6 IIRC

(That was funny Glenny!)


My former club is now a laughing stock!!!!

TM wrote:Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

If this is true, it may all end up in tears for everyone involved. Sure them Mancs and Owen NEED each other for everyone was rejecting the Mancs and no one wanted to take the risk of signing Owen.

Secondly, Ferguson's delivering a HUGE MESSAGE to Rooney with this signing "I don't trust you can score goals", and he signs arguably the biggest waster of goals in the world.

OH FFS!

My gosh! sincerely, I am shocked to what has become of them Mancs!

Dick Grayson wrote:

Karim Glennzema wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:

TM wrote:Apparently Owen has demanded the No.10 shirt, and Ferguson will speak to Wayne Rooney tommorow.

i know what id say if i was rooney..'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh not a fecking chance!'

they'll move Rooney's shirt number so all the kids have to buy a new shirt. They used to rotate Ferdinand's number from 5 to 6 every year until West Brown took 6 IIRC

(That was funny Glenny!)


My former club is now a laughing stock!!!!

Who do you support now ?