Old Trafford bound?

Will Michael Owen sign for Man Utd? Let us know your thoughts...

Last updated: 11th May 2008

Old Trafford bound?
Dave Harrison's name is on the byline and Dave has been close to Michael for a number of years, so there is mileage in this story.

Ian Ridley on Owen to Man Utd rumours
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Michael Owen to Manchester United? A story that has featured heavily in the Sunday papers and two of the three esteemed journalists on The Supplement panel believe it's a strong possibility.

Surely Owen wouldn't turn down the opportunity of Champions League football?

But do United need him? Sir Alex Ferguson is an obvious admirer but would Owen be a success at Old Trafford?

Here's The Supplement panel's thoughts on the matter:

Andy Dunn, News of the World: "I was at Sir Alex's press conference on Friday and he did say that he was going to strengthen in the summer and he hinted that an experienced striker was what he was looking for as well.

"He's always thinking ahead. I just think Owen is a player who he always thought 'I wonder what he would be like in a Manchester United side'

"The circumstances are right, clearly with the trouble at Newcastle Michael won't sign a contract extension and take a pay cut, why should he?

"So he can get Owen now, effectively on the cheap."

Ian Ridley, Mail on Sunday: "If I was Michael Owen this morning I would be flying out to Manchester and finding out where I sign!

"I think he would to Old Trafford to sign the way things are at the moment.

"Dave Harrison's name is on the byline and Dave has been close to Michael for a number of years, so there is mileage in this story."

Patrick Barclay, Sunday Times: "I cannot see why Manchester United would take Michael Owen. He has resuscitated his career by playing set-off the front, not up the front.

"He is good at coming in and sneaking goals, that doesn't mean he that he has gone back to being the world class striker we expected him to be seven years ago, seven years ago!

"Even at £7million I'd think long and hard. Manchester united have two strikers who are perfect in every detail, except that they're too similar.

"Now Berbatov, he's a signing because he gives you all the technical qualities that you get from Rooney and Tevez, plus height."

Will Fergie snap up Owen? Is he the player they need to strengthen further? Should Owen stay at Newcastle where he will surely get more playing time? Let us know what YOU think by filling in the feedback form below.

Comments (112)

Maty Hill says...

Ty Brant, what are you on about Torres would go to Utd???? Why would Liverpool sell there best striker to a rival club and why would Torres want to leave as he is performing so well at LFC??? Dream on.............

Posted 13:20 23rd May 2008

Mainak Sarkar says...

Very long time being a Man Utd fan i dont think Owen is the good choice.I think Sir Alex would love to go for promising youngstar like Huntelaar .As far as i concern Owen is finished.Perhaps if he will luckily get the chance to play @ the Theatre of Dreams along with Wazza it will might benificial to England to some extent.But i think Wazza loves to play along with Tevez rather then Owen.Owen sorry but u almost reach the threshold of your footballing carrer.

Posted 11:04 19th May 2008

Mr Ali says...

Abhigyan Shrestha... ronaldinho a good role model? thats the most absurd thing ive ever heard.. he causes problems every where he goes, undermines authority, and you think hes a role model? ridiculous... absolutely ridiculous

Posted 06:18 19th May 2008

Alex Peel says...

owen is the last person i would buy hes not the player he once was in my opinion he is not even good enough to b a squad player on the bench ect. i think kevin keegan is absolutly mad making that little mouse captain also his goal ratio isnt the best and this is suposed to be a goal poucher also he misses great chances all the time.. for me hes just an injury prone player who should do what david beckham did and go abroud to play with the pub teams and never put on an england shirt again jermain defoe is alot better anyway

Posted 23:25 18th May 2008

Michael Coppin says...

I have always been an admirer of Michael Owens talents. Following Hamstring injuries, and numorous other setbacks, he has developed his game again and again to compensate for areas that he does not have the ability for. Lets not kid ourselves, we are unlikely to see another goal like the 1998 Argentina wondergoal. What Michael Owen will give is pedigree. He will get service from the flanks, and he will, at 28, provide a level of maturity and advice to Manchester Uniteds forward line. His experience in big games and at the top level would be invaluable to Sir Alex, and he could help further develop Tevez and Rooney. Lets not forget this is the player who was European Footballer of the Year, leading prem goalscorer and is on Englands all time top scorers chart, and this is at only 28, and when he has been injured for vast parts of his career. It would pain me to watch him join Utd as a Liverpool fan. But I think he would provide a different string to Utds already well strung bow. I think people have written him off to early. At the end of the season he was scoring goals, and providing for others! Give him a go, with Utds undoubted money from their success in the last 2 seasons, they can afford to take the chance.......

Posted 19:09 18th May 2008

Lewis Conroy says...

i am a newcastle fan owen has found his form again and i would not like to see newcastle let him go, but i think he would be a great addition to manchester united and would score loads of goals

Posted 14:00 16th May 2008

Jay Stephenson says...

Let him go. He's either hurt, or whining. Let Fergie have him, the Toon need quality youth, not injured sprites.

Posted 20:28 15th May 2008

Kerry Price says...

Only one guy can take Utd to another level and that is Berbatov. Yes he is arrogant and a bit like a spoilt child but remember another guy who ignited Utd in the past- Cantona!! Berbs can be a similar catalyst.

Posted 19:17 14th May 2008

Mark S says...

Owen to Man Utd? I think what we'll find is that Fergie loves to have four strikers, and effectively he has had that this season with Ronaldo coming up. Yes he's a winger but when there was just one up front, he had free roam. Now being a united fan I just don't like Saha, I think he has no commitment, he's lazy, he waits for the ball to come to him and his whole demeanour is off. But Fergie loves him! WHY? I think, or more to the point hope and pray that Saha is sold this season, and I think he would go for two strikers and a right back, leaving Ronaldo with winger as his primary position. Now he likes youth and experience combined so I think we'll see Berbatov, Fabiano, Huntelaar or a name like that arrive that has been linked with MU. Owen will come if he is on the cheap to play as one of the four strikers. Ferguson admires him, and to a point i believe he is a good striker that can give United a different option up front. Heres the cons, Ferguson likes someone who is not injury prone all the time, and lets face it Owen has been, yet there is no sign (like van Nistelrooy) that his injury woes are over. And will he be cheap, we all know Newcastle live in a dream world, where they think they should be in top four. And more to the point, a player that Madrid bought for £8mil, why on earth did you pay £16mil a year later. COME ON! Whats more is I'm sure Newcastle will believe he's worth that much and put that as his asking price!

Posted 12:10 14th May 2008

Abhigyan Shrestha says...

Micheal Owen would definitely be a good signing for United if he comes cheap but I believe there are better options available which Ferguson is more than capable of getting with the financial strength of United. I wouldn't be suprised if Ferguson tries for Ronaldhino again. He has done it before and Ronaldhino would be a perfect experianced forward to play alongside rooney, ronaldo, tevez on the left-hand side. Additionally, this guy would be a good role-model for all the young players within the squad aswell. Another area where ferguson needs add is in the right-back position. I can't really think of a name right now but United really need a good right-back who good at going forward aswell so that he could well support ronaldo on the right-wing. I'm sure the United board know what they are going, and hopefully next season, they could be a even better squad.

Posted 07:22 12th May 2008

Mohammad Sotoodeh says...

Forget Owen! He's well past his prime. Few good targets are out there: Benzema, Villa, ... but they all will be very costly. Utd's best pick considering potential & cost would be Huntelaar. The dutch are usually successful in England (or anywhere else in europe for that matter). Come on fergie, bring on the next Ruud.

Posted 05:09 12th May 2008

P Parker says...

Santa Cruz... Would be a class signing and different to anything we got, good in air, scores plenty wid his head and would be a superb option upfront....... please dont buy Owen, he has no hunger, no passion, is all about the money and more interested in his horses! roque santa cruz would love to play for a big club and show bayern munich what a big mistake they made by letting him go. dont want berbatov to much like rvn moody, sulky and cause disharmany. please get rid of saha.... dunno who wud be willing to take a gamble on him tho! as for dean ashton i hope that doesnt happen either.

Posted 00:49 12th May 2008

David Taylor says...

I have respect for Alex Ferguson. I can't believe he is prepared to risk paying for Owen. On a cost per game basis he is probably the most expensive/overpaid player in the Premiership.

Posted 22:32 11th May 2008

Dave Connolly says...

Now I'm no United fan - I'm an Arsenal man - but I don't think that Utd need a lot of strengthening. The best defensive record in the league this year coupled with conceding the least goals? A great record, comparable to any. They do, however, have areas that can be strengthened: some of their players, whilst good, are getting too old; over-reliance on certain players; too many average players; and, yes, no Owen-like striker (unless one counts Saha, who can be very effective on his day). The solutions to these are obvious enough: bringing in a few new faces, getting rid of a few others, nothing too serious. But as for Owen - why him? There are so many other strikers who are better or more suitable for Utd: Berbatov? Robbie Keane, Santa Cruz, Crouch, Huntelaar, Trezeguet, Klose, Gilardino, David Villa, Benzema etc. True, most of these would be expensive, but Utd have the cash. Personally I like Robbie Keane, though he always seems to take a minor role compared to Berbatov. I don't know why - I think he's better. Anyway, what about in their midfield? Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Anderson are good players, but not great ones. A dogged, tenacious midfielder, a Roy Keane as it were, would benefit them. Again, a wide range of candidates. And a talented creative player for the middle, and possibly for the left flank: Scholes and Giggs cannot be expected to remain as effective for much longer. Nani? Maybe. Could be another Ronaldo, or could sink into obscurity. Anderson? Highly over-rated I think, though may get better. Ricardo Quaresma? Too inconsistent I would say. Franck Ribery? Would be perfect, I would think, for either flank to compliment Ronaldo. As for the creative attacking midfeilder, again many, many candidates: Diego would be good. Remember Riquelme? Though most players in this position are over-rated. As is Michael Owen.

Posted 21:10 11th May 2008

Shane Greenwood says...

As a long time Manchester United fan i truely hope we do not sign Micheal Owen!!! There are quite a few strikers out there at the minute who could be available, though with some of them their are a few stumbling blocks. Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry look certain to be leaving Barca. ( it would be a dream come true if Henry came to United, though admittedly unlikely) Theirs David Villa who wants to join the premier league, though their will be fierce competition for his signature, and lets face it chelsea have too much money. Benzema from Lyon would be a great signing. Berbatov is a class player but Tottenham for some reason think a player who has only won the league cup is worth 30 million. We also have Manucho who i saw in the african nations cup and scored some terrific goals ready for next year. I dont know whats going to happen with Saha. I rate him as a player but he is injured too much, if he was on a pay per game basis i would have no problem. But back to Owen, he simply just isnt good enough to play for United, to play for United you have to have more than fox in the box finishing to your game even if your a striker, and right now that looks like all Owen has.

Posted 20:50 11th May 2008

Matthew Burnett says...

In response to the delusional Luke Winedeatt-dickens who evidentily spends to much time with his nose in the Sun!! 'I say wake up and come back to reality mate!!' Michael Owen has scored a measely 12 goals in 28 appearances and he's a top striker? I think not wheras Karim Benzema 20 year old wonder kid who plays for French Champions Lyon has scored 21 in 37 thats better than a goal every other game, 4 of which have come in the champions league, including a great strkie against champions league finalist Man Utd. Owen is supposed to be in the prime of his life but is failing to impress. Furthermore at 1.73m Owen is no target man wheras benzema and huntelaar being 1.83m and 1.86m respectively are.

Posted 20:47 11th May 2008

Jez Reels says...

Michael Owen is a proven goalscorer- I don't understand this 'past it' business. He had the best goals/game ratio of anyone at Real, he was a consistent 15+ a season goalscorer at Liverpool, and at Newcastle his goals/game ratio is also pretty good. His curse is not a poor return but being injury prone. However, numerous players have overcome such problems and blossomed, someone mentioned andy cole earlier, and it's true, some people raised an eyebrow when he joined Man Utd, but Cole and Yorke were the most dangerous partnership in the Premiership for years, one season managing over 60 between them including cup games. I don't see berbatov offering anything other than height to a United front line, as, like Rooney and Tevez, he prefers to come in from deeper, he is more in the Cantona mould, not an out and out striker, not even quite as directly attacking as players like Ronaldo, but more of a creative rather than prolific player. I think ferguson wants a classic box player, and that's what owen is. They say he's lost a yard of pace, but in honesty his greatest strength has always laid in escaping his marker at the last minute and getting his feet or head on the end of a cross or good delivery, something ronaldo, scholes, giggs, carrick etc offer for fun. I think he'd be a formidable signing for them, that's if he stays fit. He has always proved his doubters wrong, and I think he will this time.

Posted 20:30 11th May 2008

Bernard Pimpong says...

Owen is a no go area he just is not the same as he used to be many years ago. I think Adriano would be a not so expensive option because im sure alex ferguson could motivate him into being that new brazilian ronaldo he was promising to be, people need to remember h started suffering from personal isues before his dramatic loss of form and issues with the inter playing staff. He's young enough to give man u 4 or 5 quality years also he's let footed thats a real plus . huntelar im not sure has the physical strength to take a bruising where others could. Berbatov although quality looks way 2 casual and when things are not going his or man u's way HE WILL be made a scapegoat for his casual approach. IF not Adriano who would be my first choice because of his strength ,decent pace and good shot if not then Sergio Aguero he has all the above also and in age wise he could provide a lot more in return as e is still very young

Posted 18:58 11th May 2008

Hari Sankar says...

Manutd needed an experienced striker and Owen is the perfect striker with quality and experience.Everyone is talking about height factor, in this season Owen has scored more goals from header,that shows he deadly in air too.He is desperate to play champ's league and he is player who can win big games.He was injured but that is past.He is fit and scoring goals.He still have his poaching instincts and under Sir Alex its only going to improve.Well these days he is playing in different positions and he is scoring.The more games he play the more he will be scoring.Manutd mid field have the perfect ammunition he wanted.With Owen and Ronney combination along with ronaldo cant be described,its just a deadly combination.Sir Alex will sign him...lets wait and see.

Posted 18:50 11th May 2008

John Vint says...

owen for united, don't make me laugh, his pace has gone, his instinct for goal has gone, he gets injury after injury. fergie has got enough with that dead wood saha without another has been to worry about. the champions are all about youth and pace, owen would have been ideal 8 years ago so unless we get him on a free transfer forget it. well done united 10 premier league titles. ( how many scousers? )

Posted 18:46 11th May 2008

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