Owen seals shock Utd move

Former Liverpool, Newcastle and Real striker joins Red Devils

By James Dall   Last updated: 3rd July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Owen seals shock Utd move

Owen: United new boy

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Manchester United have confirmed the shock capture of striker Michael Owen.

The England forward was available on a free transfer after his contract at Newcastle United expired at the end of June.

A number of sides were interested in signing the former Liverpool and Real Madrid attacker, but United emerged as favourites to secure his signature.

The 29-year-old underwent a medical in Manchester on Friday and has now sealed his move to the Premier League champions, inking a two-year deal.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website: "Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question.

Fantastic opportunity

"Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish."

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 the 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"

Comments (133)

Pg Bokhari (Manchester United fan) says...

Its a brilliant move on the part of SAF, for I guess he knos, that if Own starts scoring, he will have another Rudd Van 'N, on his team, a player who everyone rejected, but proved the pundits wrong. It's a smart, bold and balsy move, and we all hope he repays the confidence placed in him, especially with Giggs, Neville, and Scholes set to retire in this season, senior playrs will be needed to guide the young'uns to greater glory. A striker/coach for free, isn't that every club wants in this day and age, and to the Merseysiders, my message..... GROW UP !

Posted 05:48 7th July 2009

George Willie (Liverpool fan) says...

Owen did what any world class player would do...go to where he is thinks is best for him. I bet deep down inside he would love to go back to Anfield but The Reds think he is washed up. They're in for a rude awakening. Sir Fergie is a master tactician and would not have swooped in for Owen if he thinks Owen can no longer play. I would have loved to see Owen in a Reds shirt. Best of luck Michael. I think Stevie G talked to Rafa about bringing back Owen....

Posted 02:10 7th July 2009

Pat Jensen (Liverpool fan) says...

As a Liverpool fan i think that is absolutely disgraceful, i dnt think any player should play for liverpool and then play for man u, its 1 or the other but i think hes only moved there because he nows hes past it and its his only chance of winning trophies even though he will be sitting on the bench most weeks, hes just a has been money grabber and i hope he gets injured on his debut!

Posted 18:59 6th July 2009

Judith Elliott says...

Good riddance to him is all I can say - he was a drain on resources - money for auld rope!!!!

Posted 14:51 6th July 2009

Lonnie Larkin (Manchester United fan) says...

this is as fantastic signing for united we spend nothing and bring in a top quality striker tha has a couple of seasons left in him, liverpool fans can moan all they want but i have no doubt in sir alex because he has proven time after time, getting rid of tevez and ronaldo was great because now we dont have players that think they are bigger than the club! benzema could have been a big money waste but he would rather sit on madrids bench with huntelaar and van nistlerooy,come january he could be on his way back to france! as for liverpool they may keep there 2 midfielders if they wana stand a chance of winning the league. stevie g cant do it all the time! LONG LIVE SIR ALEX FERGUSON! united 4 prem once again!

Posted 13:14 6th July 2009

David O'hara (Manchester United fan) says...

Brilliant signing from fergie, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen have worked well together playing for england and now hopefully they do for manchester united. The fact that they got Owen for free now gives united time to get a few more great players from the money they recieved from selling ronaldo.

Posted 19:08 4th July 2009

Chris Corkhill says...

Justin Lucilla - so you'd rather finish tenth in the league than win it with Owen in the side? If your such a real fan you maybe want to take a look at where the great Matt Busby used to ply his trade. Or are you a Liverpool fan in disguise? I think you should ALL trust Sir Alex and support the team you all proclaim to.

Posted 12:48 4th July 2009

Micheal Rodent (Liverpool fan) says...

Owen has no pride, loyalty or anything left in him. He left to real madrid when we needed him and wanted to come back after istanbul, he robbed the geordies and now he moves to the filth.players like him an rooney kill the game.p.s fergies gettin desperate hes no benzema ,ronaldo or tevez

Posted 12:43 4th July 2009

Roy .. says...

Good news for Owen fans and England fans too now we will see him shine like he did in his younger days more often and no doubt Fabio Capella will be marking him down for the squad once more. Michael was treat badly at real madrid, left on the bench far too often and then the toon where he did not get the service his skills deserved from the rest of the team. Being further demorolised by not knowing who was in charge half the time there little wonder his star faded just a tad.

Posted 12:23 4th July 2009

Ateeq Ahmed says...

I think the Owen signing is great. Owen is not needed as a first choice striker, he can be used sparingly which will benefit his performances. Ryan Giggs was used the same way last year and he ended being player of the year. He could be a super sub like Solkjaer. A win/win situation for all. If he went to Hull or Stoke he would be leading the front line and would be expected to play every week which would probably land him back into the treatment room.

Posted 12:18 4th July 2009

Iain Pickering says...

This should be an interesting move, MO is a proven goalscorer completley wasted at the Toon. Cost nothing and if on pay and play what have Man Utd risked? Nothing! If he stays fit with the chances that will be created Owen will score, his confidence will build and also if Capello is true to his word provides England with another true goal scoring option. Yet again Fergie show a shrewd move that is going over the head of alot Man U "fans" People like that need to stick to reading the comics! Before anyone thinks I'm a MU

Posted 12:09 4th July 2009

Eddie Mcquiston says...

As a Liverpool fan, I would still have loved Michael Owen to return to his home at Anfield as I believe he could still have done a job for us. In my eyes he will always be Red. I hold no bad feelings about him joining Utd, although I wish he hadnt, and Im sure true Liverpool supporters will still hold him in high regard. We had the chance of signing him, just like Utd, but for some reason, Rafa didnt want him - and we all know if Liverpool wanted him, Owen would have came straight back to us, but anyway, Good luck Michael wherever your playing, you certainly did the job while playing for us.

Posted 11:25 4th July 2009

Stephen Elder says...

Michael, what have you done? you had a chance to play for EVERTON just like your father did, i think you have made the wrong decision, you will win nothing there, they are on there way down!

Posted 11:00 4th July 2009

Barry Marsh says...

Lets just take a momwnt to think about some old fashioned maths. Owen goes to Manu for free. He may or may not do well or he may or may not get injured. If the worst happens he will get sold to a lower league or somewhere in Japan or USA for a couple of Million in a year or so. Has the footballing world lost the plot on the value of a profit. I make that good business and a few shirts will be sold with his name on. It's not about Owen in the ManU team, its about balancing the books and the last I heard ManU was about £30mill adrift so I say its a smart move for ManU.

Posted 10:49 4th July 2009

Christophe Ntoni says...

Once again sir Alex show that he is the best. He always think about being the winner. Owen is a good choice and I hope he will be injuries free. I m an Arsenal fun and I can't understand why Arsene didn't go for Owen he was going to be the perfect man to threaten to opponent considering the classy football Arsenal play. thay always lack off a good finisher and believe Owen was going to be the man.

Posted 10:22 4th July 2009

George Dennis (Chelsea fan) says...

It is fine opportunity for Owen to make England comback. He will take charge of Tevez gap and you know, he can score gaols. More so, Fergi, you have saved a life....Owen would have ended the Gaza way i bet.....Mike, you now have a chance to retire Honourably.

Posted 09:57 4th July 2009

Richard Low says...

I am a Liverpool fan, I think it is good for Owen to try to reignite his career in Man U. i am sure fergie knows what he is doing. Should Owen be injured, SAF will call upon new blood, like what he always will do. If Owen stays fit, Man U and Liverpool will go down the wire again, else I do not see man U as a threat. I think SAF is preparing the team again... he will let his young charges experience life in the top flight, gain the experience and then come 2011, Man U will be a force again and that's why Owen is given 2 years. He will not be given more after 2 years. Owen will be looking for another clud by then So, Man U fans, next seasoon may and likely hood isn't going to be for u guys but Knowing the history of Man U, a year or 2 without trophie isn't new, but when they come back, they will set records again. 80million pound in the bank is good money. Cheers to all!

Posted 09:56 4th July 2009

Iain Hutchy (Manchester United fan) says...

Think it's a bit of shrewd business by Fergie, he's not gonna getn in the first time but he is a proven goal scorer and can score at this level as long as he stays fit. He won't be paid a great amount of money so Utd are in a no lose situation... Maybe he can get in the Engalnd squad now for the World Cup finals??

Posted 09:55 4th July 2009

Ken Leung (Manchester United fan) says...

It is although Owen has been unfit and everything, but it is a great pieces of business, if anyone can replace Tevez in the United Heart as a bit part striker then is Owen, because lets not forget, there is Berba in the team

Posted 09:53 4th July 2009

Martin Griffiths (Manchester United fan) says...

this is big big news..... a top striker for free that is mad!!!! Owen on my new shirt, He will become a top player once again under SAF

Posted 09:48 4th July 2009

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