Manchester United sign Michael Owen – the good, the bad and the insane
Sir Alex? Do I really need to take the medical?
It’s official – Manchester United have signed the 29 year old, former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker and free agent Michael Owen on a two year contract.
The whole world is talking about it, and barring a dramatic setback on the doctor’s table (he’s too short on all accounts, gaffer), Michael Owen should sign for Manchester United on a free transfer in the next few days.
The purported move brings with it ridicule, surprise, anger and more ridicule disguised as laughter – surely United are not left to scrape the bottom of the barrel with an over-the-hill striker no one wants?
But who decides that Michael Owen is ‘finished’? The folks at Newcastle (who despite their best efforts couldn’t put together a midfield good enough to supply him with anything at all)? The folks at Liverpool (who sorely missed Owen until they signed Torres)? The folks at Real Madrid (where he had a better goals to minutes ratio than any other Madrid player)? The fans? The press? The same people who heaped unrealistic expectations on him to ’save’ Newcastle, then rounded on him when he couldn’t?
On the other hand, this could be the bargain of the season if Owen goes on to score 15 goals and like Larsson, Solskjaer and Blanc before him, provides the team with the experience off the pitch that they need? For all of Manchester United’s awesome play over the last three years, you can’t help but notice that their most prolific striker has just left the building and Owen, for better or for worse, is still a better ‘finisher’ than Rooney and gives a different option to the team than Berbatov.
Reports suggest that Owen will be on a limited, basic salary plus a heavy bonuses for playing games and scoring goals. And as some people have already pointed out, his injury record at Newcastle has been more a case of mismanagement than the player being ‘injury-prone’ – and at United he will get the time and attention he needs to get back to full fitness. At least we know he’s mentally stronger than one Louis Saha.
The outstanding fan favourite for this summer was Karim Benzema, but that boy has had his mind set to go to Real Madrid since last summer. Huntelaar is another fan favourite, and there have been reports that United have made an offer for the player, but so far there has been little to suggest that United would move for him – indeed they had the time and reason to move for him last summer but didn’t do so.
So if Benzema isn’t available and Huntelaar isn’t in the picture, who else would you pick? Aguero? Unproven and outrageously expensive, and lacks the height and clinical finishing that United are looking for. In fact apart from Torres and Benzema you’d be hard-pressed to find a quality striker sharing the same attributes – pace, height, good finishing and excellent temperament on the pitch.
Ferguson has made a habit of avoiding buying ‘trophy’ players for the sake of it (that’s Madrid’s job – remember van der Vaart?) – he sticks to the plan and before the summer started he would have highlighted the players United needed and also the backup plan in case United didn’t get their men.
Like it or not, Michael Owen is part of the backup plan. It doesn’t work in the man’s favour that he’s been trashed by the press for the last year or so, but he’s younger than Larsson and Solskjaer were when they played at United as ’support’ strikers and he’s bound to do as good a job, if not better (remember, those two were lauded for their influence on the younger players).
Here’s what it comes down to – there’s an expectation in the media that United will make a big signing to compensate for the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez. However, this team isn’t built on knee-jerk signings but bringing in players that genuinely improve the team and are able to grow as players during their time at United. We’re not always going to get our way with transfers (taxes, weather and Real Madrid will see to that) but we can still bring in quality players that can help us win more titles.
This summer seems to have shades of 06/07 – when United lost Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid and only signed Michael Carrick to shore up a weakened midfield. Carrick has since then grown into the sort of player Ferguson can build his whole midfield around. Owen isn’t a glamour signing, and he’s not going to be a starter either, but he does improve the squad, and however insane that sounds, a fit Owen is a better bet for scoring a goal than a fit Carlos Tevez.
Having said that, I hope Ferguson signs someone else as well.
Bonus #1: The Michael Owen brochure.
Bonus#2: Sir Alex: If I don’t end Michael Owen’s career for good, who will?
Finally, some sensible commentary on the situation! When Ruud left we were never gonna score a goal with an “overrated” wayne rooney and the glass legs of Saha and Solskjaer. After 3 years with no trophies and selling our most prolific striker we were “a spent force”, fergie was “over the hill” and our “decade of dominance” was declared as “over”. One “overrated and over priced” Michael Carrick later and we have had one of the most successful three year periods in our history.
Owens injury rate is high, but when you look at what he’s actually had they haven’t really been recurring injuries – metatarsal, ligaments, mumps etc Woodgate was in a worse situation than owen and he’s turned it around for himself. Owen can do the same at United (assuming he passes the medical!)
yea i agree – there’s way too much emphasis on these ‘big-name’ signings. i think owen could be one of saf’s greatest signings. but if not, do utd really lose? he’s going to get paid on appearces/goals and he’ll get a basic salary. if he turns out to be anything like soljskaer or larsson, this will be a great signing.
a lot of people are ridiculing utd on how no top-players want to go there, but look at everyone else. have chelsea, arsenal, liverpool signed anyone of real top quality? no. i think a lot of ppl forget utd have rooney and berbatov for next year. tevez was a real scrapper, but not much of a goalscorer.
Nothing to lose really. If he stays fit he’ll get some playing time and score goals. If he excels he can have a first team spot. If he remains injury prone it will cost very little. Worth the risk.
I’m amazed so many Utd fans have written Berbatov off already. He’s proven quality and last season was a nightmare at Utd for a new striker. Left out regularly to accomodate Ronaldo playing up-front. Rooney playing on the left, then in the middle, Tevez in and out…4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-4 and back again.
Here’s to just 2 first choice strikers forming a pertnership with Rooney back in his best position and a much more balanced and consistent formation.
Owen will provide good back-up for that…although he might just surprise us.
It’s still very early in the transfer window. I expect Fergie to sign someone else….let’s wait and see but it shouldn’t be another striker.
I’m willing to keep an open mind about it. They’re getting him on a free transfer, he’s getting a pay-as-you-play deal, he’ll be third on the depth chart, and he’ll be motivated to resurrect his career so that he can play in the World Cup. He hasn’t been “Michael Owen: Most Dangerous Striker in the World” for a while now, but if he can give them some scoring punch and lethal finishing, then he’s worth it.
Let’s not forget, the guy scored ten goals (he scored three more league goals than Tevez while making two fewer appearances) while playing for a relegated team and battling injuries. There were some games where he barely broke a sweat because his midfielders couldn’t get him the ball. He’s always needed service, and he should have plenty of that at United.
The fact that no one seems to want to come to Manchester United is a concern, but it’s also a smokescreen. There’s the tax situation in England (Chelsea couldn’t get Villa, Pato, or Pirlo, Arshavin is making noise about going to Barcelona, and City still haven’t locked down Eto’o even though they’re offering him the sun and the moon). There’s Real Madrid throwing money around like they’re printing their own. Also, a lot of the top available players are non-Premiership players who either don’t want to play in England (Villa, Ribery), are over-the-hill (Ruud, Robben) or are proven failures in the EPL (Forlan). Football always goes through cycles, and perhaps England’s time as the dominant force (league-wise) is coming to an end.
I think most people (on all the blogs) have been missing the point here. I could never understand why we were linked with Benzema and Aguero. If Fergie really thinks Welbeck and Macheda (and later Petrucci) will eventually take the step up we need an older player as back up for Rooney and Berbatov. I think most people are agreed that you can’t rely on 2 teenagers as the only back up. I was thinking of Henry or Del Piero or even RVN, just to keep us going for a year or two while the youngsters gain more experience. I think this is an ideal move for everyone. Even if Owen doesn’t play a lot, training with Rooney every day will surely help his England chances.
I’m all for it.
On another point, why do people keep thinking there is a problem at Man Utd ‘cos no one wants to come these days. No big (international) players have ever wanted to come here. The only big player from a big club is Veron and he wanted out of Italy after a passport scandal. Every time we have competed with another big club for a player we have always lost (Kluivert, Ronaldinho). We couldn’t get Batistuta or Salas in the 90s. In fact it’s an achievement to even be mentioned with top players these days. Can you imagine if we had bid for Romario, Maradona in the past. It would have been laughable. Antonio Valencia is about level of signing for a latin player.
i hate manchester united (the manager, some of the players and definitely the fans), but i do believe owen could be a great signing. and even if he flops, its not like he’d cost you guys much; i mean hes coming on a free, unlike Berbs (huge flop especially for 30 mil no matter what you guys say).
Hes been class wherever hes played; he will prove it once again wtih united.
now you guys have money to sign a world class right back, some top midfielders, a goalkeeper and maybe backup for defence.
@erwf: Never thought you hated Utd….
Berbatov is NoT a flop. Watch him next season with a settled partnership and you will see a return.
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Wat a brainwave ……wat a signing Hats off to Sir Alex.
I understand the reasons why most f united fans are skeptical abt the signing . But if u remove our liverpool hatred lenses and look at the signing u will undestand:
1. We have one of The (if not the best ) finisher in English game .(Torres might hae a say…)
Some might argue tat he was shit at Newcastle . But who was’nt shit there every one from the top echelon were shit there . I couldnt see any decent thru balls r build p play the entire season . Even corners didnt go past the first defender . Wat dyu expect owen to do then . He was then played in a withdrawn fwd position in a 3 man attack and he looked the most decent man on pitch . Look at the picture a fwd needs confidence but owen’s confidence was at his last ebb mainly due to the players around him.How do u expect him to score goals when the only peice of play newcastle could manage was hitting the ball to the clouds.
2. He has played 30 games last season
Some cite owen is injury prone . Yes i accept it but 30ganes is a decent return and moreover he is gonna be a forth choice super sub in UTD setup. So 30 games will do and he may churn up more games as he will be rotated around
3. Workrate
Some compare his work rate with Tevez. I bet people have been fooled many times by the argie running around like a headless chicken . Owen is quicker and more clinical than the argie . Tevez’s finishing is bullshit . Owen at his best will work the center halves more than Drogba .
4. Offside trap
In my 20 yrs of watching football i think owen is the best player to play on the shoulder of last defender . He is the best player in beating offside traps
Fergie(Master)stroke:
He will play his heart out to impress capello to get into the world cup team . He knows only to score goals he’ll do it .We had many shots at goals last year but we couldnt score many goals because of poor finishing . This guy will be the ultimate poacher we are looking for.
For God’s sake we have a gem of a player whose career has gone awry at a comedy club . He has signed for us and its up to cheer him to get the best out of him for ur teams sake. I know the papers will be laughing and bashing abt us signing owen . Some headlines may say : RONALDO REPLACED BY OWEN …..But believe in Sir alex we’ll be signing more player’s . My ideal list would be
1. Felipe melo
2. Cassano(both melo and cassono are must)
3. Silva
4. Dzeko r Fabiano r Marcus berg(my vote)
5. Huddlestone
6. rodwell
It’s funny how Manure fans are blinded by love for Sir Alex, he could probably sign his own nephew and fans would still rave about what a brilliant signing it is. Sure Owen is a good finisher and will score the odd goal every now and then, but his work rate is nowhere near that of Tevez so i don’t think he can be called a Tevez replacement. Owen isn’t exactly going to challenge for the golden ball award either, he has just been brought in to add experience, thats it..
i cant wait 2 c how da liverpool fans wil treat him wen united go 2 anfield
City are the future. Talk about desperation. My favourite part was how he is a better goal scoring bet than Carlos Tevez. Your club truly are up themselves big time. What galls you most is that you may not even be the best club in manchester soon.
HONESTLY, owen is another Saha! immense talent and a great finisher wen his on the pitch! problem is he actually has to be on the pitch! atleast united were smart about it this time as it wont cost us much wen he flops. i agree with piresma his mostly been brought in 4 experience so thats a big positive. especially with macheda and welbeck stepping up! … i would like to see him play against liverpool thou!
This is the best bit of business united have done since signing Larsson on loan. Owen is Tevez’ replacement and a stroke of genius for United. I don’t think many would disagree that Tevez is the better player. But United don’t lose anything in the switch. It’s not a true like for like replacement because the two have very different skill sets. Both would play the same role at United though, both would be expected to play about thirty games, both would be expected to net a half dozen to a dozen goals, both would be expected to come of the bench.
This is a good deal because Tevez would have cost a 32 million transfer fee(for our own player). We didn’t have to pay for anything with Owen except the paper we put his contract on. Tevez would have demanded an exorbitant salary for him and the Korean Car maker that pimps him out. Owen demands table scraps and the opportunity at a fresh start. Tevez would have whigned and complained to the media about missing out on playing time to the first choice players, and caused dischord in the locker room. Owen will be glad for his opportunities and be a model professional and teammate. There’s also more room for the youngsters Wellbeck and Macheda with Owen in the side instead of Tevez and probably even contribute to their football education.
Even from as a footballing decision as opposed to a business one, this is a good move for United. I think Owen and Berbatov would make an excellent pairing up front (big languid set-up man + small speedy goal poacher) and still leave room for Rooney in a more withdrawn position. Tevez’ skillset as an all action bulldog type attacker is made rather redundant by Wayne Rooney. Owen gives United something different. Something they’ve lacked and fans have been clamoring for since Ruud left, a pure goal-scorer who lives to find the back of the net and can slot it away in close quarters.
I was perplexed by this deal at first. I actually thought my friend was taking the piss when he first told me. but upon inspection it actually makes perfect sense. Fergie is a transfer genius. With the Strikers sorted,now he can direct his full energy into re-investing the Ronaldo money.
evrybody..owen is nt a replacment 4 ronanldo..
he is a proven goalscorer.. was a jst victim ov madrid’s curse.. dths ryt everybody hu goes 2 madrid..experences bad shyt..
so move on guys.. he ll b a a hero..
I am in wait and see mode with regards to this transfer. Listening to Owen on Sky sports he seems confident he can do well and is not injury prone!
Time will tell but as Paul Merson said you can’t argue that he knows where the goal is and if he can get a run in the team with the amount of chances we are bound to create and he starts bagging a few his confidence would be back and we might just see the old Michael Owen, you never know.
I think its a good signing but of course a huge risk also. Personally would have preffered seeing RVN instead.
Its a transfer that makes sense. Nothing ‘genius’ about it, transfer decisions aren’t rocket science really. Just takes a healthy dose of common sense and logic..dunno how so many managers mess things up .
And Condell, didn’t know you could see the future.
@Nat: “My favourite part was how he is a better goal scoring bet than Carlos Tevez.”
Actually Owen’s career stats average 24 goals in a 50 game season. Tevez is 17 in a 50 game season. Over the past 3 years Owen’s average is the equivalent of 18 goals in a 50 game season, Tevez 16.
So based on the stats Owen IS a better goalscoring option than Tevez!
If he stays fit it’s a good move.
As for City: Tevez and Santa Cruz? The 2 average well less than 20 goals a season (Santa Cruz comes in at a stunning 15 goal average over his career) so that’s going to scare everyone……not!
Michael Owen has a lot to prove at Old Trafford but SAF has nothing to lose. Lets all sit back and watch the fun but I’ll tell you one thing, he made a big big mistake in leaving Liverpool.
I wonder what kind of reception he’ll receive when he fetches up at Anfield in a United shirt !!??***?
i wonder what the kind of reception there will be if he scores at anfield and kissed the utd badge infront of the kop. (i no he wont celebrate if he does score against liverpool but id laugh if he did)
I think it’s an excellent signing by Ferguson. But personally i think SAF should put Owen and Rooney together, and keep Berbatov as a spare.
i want david silva or van der vaart or robben or snejder or Huntleer
What does MTN and Michael Owen have in common?… Thet both have Pay-as-you-go contracts
The good thing is that Owen won’t whine if he doesn’t play.
Am glad dat SAF has signed Owen.. With gud health, he’ll be our prizeless scorer.. (am praying 4 u Michael..)
Lifelong MUFC fan here. I actually wasn’t surprised at all when I heard the news. For both MU and Owen this is a great deal. Owen is a player who, let’s face it, was far too good to go to Newcastle and has received little to no service there. In the 08-09 season particularly, Newcastle were routinely dreadful and to score 10 goals with that kind of support isn’t bad. Sure, Owen is well past his best, but for £0 transfer fee and on a very ‘basic’ salary, there’s nothing to lose for United. A good result all round for United and Owen is for Owen to make 25 – 30 appearances next season and bag 10 – 15 goals. This is not unrealistic *IF* Owen can stay fit and, if this is happens, he could be in contention for a place in Capello’s WC squad.
Gd article. Too many fans these days seem to live in a fantasy world or prolly play too much football manager and think fergie shld go for every player in the world, but fergie will only sign players that he thinks will improve the squad.
I really can’t get my head around this one and never will. Regardless of how good Owen is supposed to be why has no-one commented on the way his talents complement the current Man united set up. Everyone who watches Man U should know that their style of football is driven by their front players, they are the engine of the team. The system has been completely dependent on the hard work, pace, teamwork and technique of their forwards, who have been required to come deep, link play, pull defenders apart and drive forward. As Owen has pretty much none of the attributes necessary to do this kind of job why is there such a rejoicing over his signature?
Good tips on topic.Lifelong MUFC fan here. I actually wasn’t surprised at all when I heard the news. For both MU and Owen this is a great deal. Owen is a player who, let’s face it, was far too good to go to Newcastle and has received little to no service there. In the 08-09 season particularly, Newcastle were routinely dreadful and to score 10 goals with that kind of support isn’t bad.
I wonder what the kind of reception there will be if he scores at anfield and kissed the utd badge infront of the kop.