Owen joins Manchester United
Has Sir Alex Ferguson lost his mind? In the most surprising transfer for years, Michael Owen has joined Manchester United on a free.
Is this is the same Michael Owen who barely scored a goal as Newcastle tumbled out of the Premier League? The same Michael Owen who plays two matches (at most) before being crocked? And the man who is below Carlton Cole in the England pecking order? Yes, it is!
So low was Owen's stock, his advisors created a brochure to remind everyone that he did actually know what that net type thing was. Before United's bizarre intervention, only Hull and Stoke were interested. Blackburn, yes Blackburn, turned him down.
Does Sir Alex really think this injury-riddled striker can recapture his glory days and spearhead the champions' pursuit for a fourth successive title? If he does, he's surely in the miniority.
This Manchester United club was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the exception of the 1974–75 seasons. Average attendances at the club have been higher than any other team in English football.
Posted by: Manchester United | 30 July 2009 at 11:08
Michael Owen is a waste of time and money. He'll probably be injured before the season starts and will then sit back and collect his wages sitting on the sidelines just as he did at Newcastle for most of the time. Make sure the grass on the pitch is cut short otherwise he might trip over a blade of grass and that's it for the season !!!
Posted by: Johnty, Newcastle | 07 July 2009 at 21:59
only time will tell wither sir alex has got it right with owen we shall see but give the lad achance hope he is as insperational as eric the king cantona was good luck michael
Posted by: big bun | 05 July 2009 at 20:27
good luck michael .as a geordie who can blame you with a club that is still in chaos. enjoy the future
Posted by: Peter nevin | 05 July 2009 at 20:24
owen has still got it,with the service from man u team mates he will score all day.just take a look at his record club and country.was a sub at real and still got 16 goals.his days at liverpool says it all,and newcastle he had no service.
Posted by: gd | 05 July 2009 at 14:32
Best move ferguson has made in years. The scousers cannot shout Owen was not wanted by Rafa
Posted by: Tommy Bowe | 05 July 2009 at 13:15
Imagine Michael Owen walking out onto the Anfield pitch with THE ENEMIE'S shirt on!!!
Posted by: D.Robinson | 05 July 2009 at 11:20
3 months ago...........fergie" i wouldnt sell that mob a virus"
1 month ago " the little winker is sold"
last week all over sky utd news, a single cheque has been banked by man utd for 80 million pounds!!!
yesterday, they get michael owen on a free,wooooo hoooo, i wonder how much of that 80 million will go to the glazers overdraft!!!
oh and as for liverpool fans worrying about michael owen walking out at anfield, no problem........he is in our past, and you lot keep bleeting on about scousers should forget there history!!!
barca 2 man utd 0......5 stars on our shirts....FACT!
Posted by: chris the red | 04 July 2009 at 16:02
WERE AS ALL THE MONEY GONE IN THE BOUBLE GLAZERS BACK POCKET EVERY ONE SING ALONG NOW LONG TIME PASSING THE RED DEVILS THE DEBT DEVILS MORE LIKE I TOLD YOU YA THICK OOOOS THOUGHT YOU WHERE GETING BIG BUCKS TO SPEND YA A JOKE THE FUTRES RED LIVERPOOL RED NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY FOR YA ANYMORE,WATCH OUT FOR RAFAS SIGNINGS IT,S A BIT QUITE AT LIVERPOOL LET,S SEE WHO TORRES FETCHERS HOME WITH HIM WHICH DAVID WILL IT BE AREEEEEEEEE WATCH THIS SPACE YOU WILL BE GREEN WHEN YOU FIND OUT, DON,T FALL DOWN MICKY BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON WILL YOU PLEASE DO
Posted by: THE KID | 04 July 2009 at 11:03
carn,t wait for october 24 he will get slaughted if he dare come out like he did for newcastle you judas you don,t need the money at leased you,ll have some one to drive you to the racers cause you,ll both be out of a job next year, as amicky owen fanatic from him being 15 now i wish you all the bad luck in the world un less you take their money but under acheve you will and the title to your favourtes LIVERPOOL you might be for given but never will be forgiven for putting a scum shirt on NEVER,NEVER,NEVER have good body gards with you micky cause them fans are not good enough to protect you. SCUMBAGS UTD WITH THE TOFFEE STRIKE FORCE IT COULD BE A STICKY TIME FOR THE SCUMBAGS,JUDAS,JUDAS,JUDAS
Posted by: the kid | 04 July 2009 at 10:50
If anybody can resurect his career its Fergie. He has not lost the plot, its just that nobody else has grasped it.
Kinnear & Shearer do not even come close to cutting the mustard, unfortunately Joe became ill, whilst Shearer was only a well known figure head, popular with the fans, but lacking in substance as a man & a manager
Posted by: steve | 04 July 2009 at 10:14
Don't Lets All Forget .. We Don't Like Certain Players Because Who They Play For .. And Not For Who They Are .. Or How Talented They Are .. "THATS A FACT OF TODAYS FOOTBALL" .. Look Into The Past . . . ! ! !
Posted by: Geoff Rylott | 04 July 2009 at 09:40
hes back!
Posted by: Fahad | 04 July 2009 at 09:37
Think that noone wants too go to manchester untd,fergies reign is coming to an end,the owen deal proves this....Do they want too buy Dean Ashton from us for £20m.....Paul the hammer
Posted by: PAUL BEECHEY | 04 July 2009 at 09:27
he should of gone to villa instead of man u they will never use him.
Posted by: george | 04 July 2009 at 09:26
Owen topped a long list of players purchased on reputation who ceased to function as soon as they pulled on a Newcastle strip. Let's hope Fergy has better luck with him. He might as the players around him will be triers which can't be said of the pathetic bunch Newcastle has laboured with or drawn out of a lucky bag nearly all of the grab the money and run genre
Posted by: Brian Wylie | 04 July 2009 at 09:18
that sums it up nicely fergy will be of at end of season leaving behind a split up utd team but he will always be nown as one of the best manager at utd or maybe the best will let utd fans decide that 1 i think owen wont do nowt at utd good for other teams not many teams will be worried about owen maybe yrs ago wake up utd fans your empire is on way down the new team in manchester is city and i dont support any of them
Posted by: Gary | 04 July 2009 at 07:36
i cant see why every man u fan is complaining hes a free transfer and will be worth the 50 grand a week and remember fergy isnt stupid he know what hes doing and with a bit of training and a few games him and rooney will be back on track they have both played together before for England and it will be a good gamble.
Posted by: Steven | 04 July 2009 at 00:59
this is a sign of desperation from man yoo and shows to all ferguson really has lost the plot. they've been snubbed by all the top players in the world so have to turn to a liverpool reject in ow£n,10 years past his prime, who's motivated by money only, and'll be quite happy to lower himself joining man-yoo just to sit on the bench earning his money for two years. he's not good enough for england, but he's man utds top signing this summer. hilarious.
Posted by: LFC_GUY | 03 July 2009 at 22:41
It would have been good to see him in the toons new away strip and to put a proper yellow streak on his back. waste of money.
Posted by: smudger | 03 July 2009 at 22:35
Don't like Fergie or Man U. But Fergie knows what he's doing another English striker spings to mind Sheringham... Euro Champ was he.. Nuff said
Posted by: Richie T | 03 July 2009 at 21:56
fantastic signing for man utd. him and rooney together will score pure goals. he's been unlucky in the last couple of seasons, and when he was playing he didn't get the service. best of luck to the bloke, he's proved himself before and he'll do it again.
Posted by: widneslawrig | 03 July 2009 at 20:49
owen good striker he only had an injury every player gets one an recovers he just needs time an regular play he never seem to got he played 79 games for newcastle 30 goals that not a bad record an he was just come in off an injury .
Posted by: nover | 03 July 2009 at 20:30
Is Fergie mad? Owen hasn't done anything for years! Not for England, Newcastle or anyone?! So what chance MU?
Posted by: Guy | 03 July 2009 at 20:29
Cast your minds back to previous 'bad' decisions by SAF - Eric,Larsson This could well prove to be a gamble that others will live to regret not having taken.
Posted by: captain peacock | 03 July 2009 at 20:27
Michael Owen. Owen Hargreaves
need i say more.
Posted by: Yash | 03 July 2009 at 20:13
wow well done fergie what a player
Posted by: owen rules | 03 July 2009 at 20:09
So M.U. Have finaly reached rock bottom
Posted by: james | 03 July 2009 at 19:44
I do not support Man U do not have a lot of time for ferguson but if he can keep this guy fit he will score more goals than ronaldo
Posted by: Dave Swindlehurst | 03 July 2009 at 19:27
i notice in the blog that it says pursuits for a 3rd premier league trophy. actually it be the 4th. with owen joining man united that would give him great confidence and hes surrounded by world class players that can supply him with goals. not exactly what he was getting at newcastle. poeple seem to forget how much of a talented striker he is. scores with both feet and his head. owen is a player that needs confidence once he gets that then i can see the real owen coming back. we just all have to wait and see.
Posted by: robert lock | 03 July 2009 at 19:22
It'll be worth it - just to see him walk out onto the pitch at Annfield in a United shirt!!
Posted by: Big Dave | 03 July 2009 at 18:40
wow. what a signing that would be a stupid signing for man united(im a west ham fan) but who cares if their gonna buy a rather rubbish player, i dont.
and whats wrong with carlton cole. orange make him sound rubbish
Posted by: rhys | 03 July 2009 at 17:26
Michael Owen is a fantastic player when he is fit. Hes been unlucky with his fitness last few seasons, but if he can get fully fit...and people to have faith in him again and with working alongside Wayne Rooney....I dont think it will be too long before we see the 'Old Owen' back!! Fergie knows what hes doing!!!
Posted by: Shirley | 03 July 2009 at 17:17
Why on earth can't United sign someone who is worthwile with a reputation which is decent, at least make attempts for Sneijder or Silva for example. Owen lost it about 4 years ago - he is not the future of the Red Devils
Posted by: Will | 03 July 2009 at 17:13
We call him Flimsy Owen in our 'ouse. A bench warmer. Maybe he's good at cutting up oranges.
Posted by: The Bogus Anon | 03 July 2009 at 16:58
I believe this will be a good bit of business if he passes the medical. Why? because Fergie always gets the best out of players and Owen will be settled because he can live back in Cheshire, near his family and friends.
Posted by: Woody | 03 July 2009 at 16:57
Sicknote should be prosecuted for stealing Newcastles money.His 30 goals cost £442,000 each...
Posted by: Bryan | 03 July 2009 at 16:50
I just can't believe it. Owen never runs towatds the ball anymore. he only gets the ball when others miss it.Don't believe me, just watch him
Posted by: Malcolm Bates | 03 July 2009 at 16:17
as a newcastle fan i would just like 2 say the blokes a total waste of skin i would of been ambaressed to of picked the wages up put in what he did on the field he does nothing he will score the odd goal dont get me wrong but hes ronaldo or teves its a backward step for man u.
Posted by: jamie h | 03 July 2009 at 16:14
Owen at United. I say lets get Daffy Duck as manager
Posted by: Donald | 03 July 2009 at 15:34
Remember Henrik Larsen !!!!
everbody thought what ! turned out as a good bit of biz - maybe Ownen will be similar paid on pay per play contract -
SAP
Posted by: sap | 03 July 2009 at 14:28
i think you will find its four in a row we are after mr contributor and as for owen i m sure he can contribute the odd goal but maybe fergie has his reasons why would you doubt fergie though with all his success.did fergie wake up in june and say lets sell ronaldo, i dont think so fergie knew 12 months ago what he would do and we will see what happens. experience and youth a terrific mix does anyone remember a certain mr sheringham mmmmm what did he contribute?he was 32 when he signed injury free or not,1999 2000 2001 thanks teddy. for all the scousers out their your old boy owen is gonna deliver our 19th title,hahahaha.
Posted by: marksy | 03 July 2009 at 14:25
OK, he's had his injury problems,but to get on a free,a proven poacher,only 29,if fit he can only benefit us.Hope he's on pay-play,him & Rooney will tear teams apart,better than Berba on his day.
Posted by: steve,worcester | 03 July 2009 at 14:23
Firstly, may I say I am definately not a Man U fan! However, no matter what you think, Alex Ferguson has a great eye for making sure he has all the pieces to make a great football team. Therefore, he obviously sees something he can use in Owen or he would not entertain the idea at all. Alex has the experience everyone on here lacks and he rarely makes an error. I hope he has but I somehow doubt it.
Posted by: harryh | 03 July 2009 at 14:23
I watched Owen last season. He is a good player, but he was playing in a very poor team. He didn't get an ounce of service, so scored few goals. If he goes to Man U and manages to keep fit next season, I would bet on him scoring at least 20 goals and getting back in the England team for the World Cup. Watch this space........
Posted by: MickyMagpie | 03 July 2009 at 14:19
he is a good player but i blame the medics at newcastle, if under the right care will till be a good player, plus never doubt Fergie
Posted by: dave | 03 July 2009 at 14:17
FAO Blog United will be going for their 4th successive title next season
Posted by: Michael Shields | 03 July 2009 at 14:15
Never ever doubt Fergie,he knows what he`s doing!
Posted by: Dave,Barrow-in-Furness | 03 July 2009 at 14:13
give the man a chance he's had a bit of bad luck with his football. It not so long ago that the england, supporters could not get enought of the guy.
Posted by: pete (scotsman) | 03 July 2009 at 14:07
Can't believe Owen at United would he even get in our reserves ! I hope he's on a pay for play contract otherwise our debts will spiral even more. you've lost me on this one Alex !
Posted by: Paul , Widnes | 03 July 2009 at 14:00
You all forget Owens past and what he is capable of. if the deal goes through and he stays fit then he could become very dangerous once again. He and Rooney can become a good partnership for club and country. Good bit of business i think!
Posted by: Adam | 03 July 2009 at 13:44
Alex just wants him as fodder, to save his strikers. Owen will play when the result is a dead cert. Money is not an issue , Michael is probably up for at least 2 grand a week .He's not worth it, i know. But they can let the physio use him for practice, and the bogs need a good scrub.
Looked promising as a lad. Not exactly took a lot in medals, has he. We know he's got more money than he deserves... haven't they all.
Posted by: Paul | 03 July 2009 at 13:35
I cannot believe Michael Owen
would prefer to go to Man Utd rather than up and coming Hull City (come on you tigers)
Posted by: George the tigger Lee | 03 July 2009 at 12:44
Owen is like a man who ran through a set of bad lucks earlier but this time he is going to prove what he is made of...
Posted by: adax | 03 July 2009 at 11:54
I think it might be an astute piece of business - especially as it's on a free. Owen may not play every week, but providing he gets fit, he could be an important player - particularly in Europe.
Posted by: James, Dagenham | 03 July 2009 at 11:13