Owen - Utd to reignite career

Striker's joy at shock switch to Premier League champions

By James Dall   Last updated: 4th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Owen - Utd to reignite career

Owen: United signing

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Michael Owen is eager to put his 'poor spell' at Newcastle United behind him by scoring goals and lifting silverware at his new club Manchester United.

The England international sealed his shock free transfer to the Red Devils on Friday after passing a medical and then signing a two-year contract.

Owen endured a difficult time at St James' Park, where he signed from Real Madrid in 2005, netting just 26 Premier League goals in four years.

The 29-year-old is excited about the next chapter in his career as he looks to recapture his best form and help United continue their winning ways.

He told MUTV: "It feels great. I never even had it in my wildest dreams really but then I got the call from the manager to come and meet him.

Shock

"It was a shock but I'm obviously really happy and things have moved quickly since then.

"I probably had a poor spell up at Newcastle but prior to that, my career was very good and I'm sure a top club like this can reignite my career. Hopefully I can score a few goals and help the team to more success.

"It's early days but when you think about United, you automatically think about winning trophies, the stadium, the massive fanbase."

Fitness

Owen also rejected suggestions that he is injury prone, stressing that he passed his United medical without any complications.

He added: "A lot is made of it and probably a lot will come out in the coming months and years but I certainly don't feel like I'm injury prone.

"I'd like to think that everyone was quite surprised at how my medical was. I knew I would pass my medical, I've obviously passed them before. My fitness is fine."

Comments (23)

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Nathan Evans (man utd fan) says...

This is fantastic for us and owen, we need some one who can score goals now that ronlado has gone and owen will just give us that with the quality of players he will have around him and to be honest i can't see rooney or berbatov scoring many more than owen. he is a proven goal scorer and united's style of play would suit him. If he stays injury free, he can get back to his best and make the England squad.

Posted 12:59 4th July 2009

Sharon Brown (Newcastle United fan) says...

He has to be the worst money Newcastle has ever spent. He has cost the club a fortune with very little to show for it. I think Sir Alex is only interested because it's not costing him anything and he can pay him about £20.000 a week or only when he turns out on the field, so from that point of view he's worth a gamble. Apart from that, if I were a Man U supporter, I wouldn't get too excited.

Posted 12:52 4th July 2009

Chris H (Coventry City fan) says...

Alex Ferguson has lost the plot. Dosen't sign Carlos Tevez, still can't believe he bought Berbatov the worst most over priced player in the premership, and now he signs michael owen worst mistake ever. Liverpool have the 2009/2010 title in the bag, Man u 2 finish outside top 4!

Posted 12:50 4th July 2009

Tim Conndy (Liverpool fan) says...

As a Liverpool fan I am gutted to see Michael Owen in a Man utd shirt.. My initial feelings where Traitor. However, in hindsight if Hull City, Stoke City and Man United expressed an interest in you, with the the utmost respect to Stoke and Hull, I suppose I would choose Man Utd.. Im not sure if I would of liked to off seen Owen back at Liverpool, could accept him in an Arsenal, Chelsea or any club bar Man United and maybe Everton.. Michael Owen you are no longer a Liverpool legend!

Posted 12:45 4th July 2009

Eddie Beddy (Manchester United fan) says...

I cannot believe the attitude of the Liverpool fans. Here was one of your own, looking for a home for the past few months. Some of your players even suggested Owen would look good in a Liverpool shirt again. But your coach sat on his hands again while the master made another excellent move. What must Michael Owen do when Liverpool ignore him and Man U want him?

Posted 12:28 4th July 2009

Scott Butler (Liverpool fan) says...

Fair play to Michael! You cant begrudge him too much in choosing Man U over the mighty Hull City! He'll do fine there (10-15 goals) but not close to his best. I'm not exactly shaking with fear at the thought of Berbatov and Owen up front (instead of Ronaldo and Tevez, for example!) and I'm sure those two will help united to a hard fought 4th place finish.. not too bad for a feeder club!

Posted 12:18 4th July 2009

Bri Terry (Manchester United fan) says...

i was a little surprised when i heard about the possibility of an owen signing....but if he can stay fit,he'll get 20+ goals next season......playing with quality players will help him,owen for golden boot???its worth a punt!fergie should try getting essien,he could be the best midfielder in the world with united

Posted 09:53 4th July 2009

Joe Foster (Newcastle United fan) says...

good riddance he was the biggest waste of money toon ever spent.

Posted 09:52 4th July 2009

Christopher Mutisya (Manchester United fan) says...

Ferguson's move is both shocking and worth pondering. The sudden acquisition of Michael Owen have left many asking why the gaffer made this move. Owen's goal scoring record is an open secret to all football fans, Perhaps we say his form and record hit rock-bottom as St. James Park but my firm belief is that Ferguson has done the most important think that Owen needed: Trust, belief, and inspiration. That was the total sum of the gamble. If Michael Owen stays injury-free, i can bet he will one of the most lethargic and prolific strikers in the 2009/10 Premier League season. He has been handed the lifeline. It sometimes takes the experience and wit of the likes of Ferguson to do that. Not many will walk the same path.

Posted 09:46 4th July 2009

Adam Jackson (Arsenal fan) says...

Well I think this is another Master Stroke by Fergie, I have thought for the past 3 seasons that both us (Arsenal) and United have just needed another out and out striker like Henry and Van Nistelrooy. In my opinion Utd won that league in Second gear last year and that says a lot for the 3 Teams behind them, having said that they have just sold two very influential players who might or might not need replacing. This happened before when they sold Van Nistelrooy and everyone said that was them finished without him, well the next season they won the league ! I was hoping Wenger would sign someone like Owen because lets face it a fit, confident Michael Owen is as good as any Striker on his day and in a Good Team he will score goals. A lot of people will say he has passed his best but I do not agree, Newcastle are a has been team and we all know that a lot of players go up there and get injured, I have read that Collocini says its the worst training ground he has ever been to so maybe thats why players get injured so often. I would like to see Owen succeed up there because I would rather him partner Rooney at the World Cup then Heskey (Donkey) so lets get behind him, even if we hate Man Yoo because we are going to bloody need him next year in S.A 2010. Wenger spend some bloody money !

Posted 09:39 4th July 2009

Shaun H (Celtic fan) says...

Sold his soul i'm afraid. Great striker, but possibly past his best, guessing he'd be back up for Rooney at best.

Posted 09:33 4th July 2009

David P (Arsenal fan) says...

I think Ferguson has ran out of ideas! If he was able to buy players in an attempt to replace Ronaldo, he wouldn't be messing about with free transfers of injury prone has-beens from a relegated premier league team. Unfortunately for all of us, half of the worlds best players are at Real Madrid!

Posted 09:25 4th July 2009

Tom Pape (Newcastle United fan) says...

Good Luck to Michael, however as a Toon supporter there is a real sense of frustaration that yet again Newcastle loose out and Man Utd shine. He will score goals as a off the bench striker and will fill Tevez's role. Well done and good business Man U! Typical!!!!!!

Posted 09:08 4th July 2009

Craig Fernandes (Manchester United fan) says...

The signing of Michael Owen has bemused me however so did the signing of Sheringham but look what he did for us, he is a proven goalscorer and we know he can play with Rooney and if he can stay fit then we might just have secured ourselves a bargain and if he scores the winning goal in front of the Kop he will be part of United folklore.

Posted 08:48 4th July 2009

Colin Jackson (Newcastle United fan) says...

Poor spell at Newcastle? Not for Owen who pocketed £40,000,000 from a time in his life we're he didn't even play 80 league games in 4 years. This is exactly what is wrong with football, this guy had the heart of a pea when the going was certainly getting tough, he disappeared - Bottler. Sick of hearing about how NUFC was bad for Owen, the guy never even played for us and was always injured with the biggest injury being when playing for england. I wish this miserable, sour faced cretin nothing but misfortune (in football terms) for the rest of his footballing career. Get back to counting your money and playing with your horses. Sky has a poll running of how many goals this bloke will score, probably a better poll would be how many games will this bloke play and how many different injuries he will get.

Posted 08:46 4th July 2009

Steve Marson (Portsmouth fan) says...

Like Harry on the Saints bench, Paul Ince in a Liverpool shirt, and Robbie Fowler in any non-red shirt...... this photo just does NOT look right. For England's benefit, I hope it goes well though.

Posted 08:38 4th July 2009

Ramana Ahilan says...

Come on Owen!! Some fans think this is a terrible move by the manager but he will have the exact same position as Tevez with a difference - less work rate, more goals. Now we should at least try to sign Casillas. He is one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world. And he's young. And the Reds Go Marching On On On!!

Posted 08:37 4th July 2009

Rob Mcinnes (Rangers fan) says...

Fair play to him, I hope he does well. Everyone at Newcastle was on a downward spiral not just owen, with some help from Sir Alex it would be good to see an in-form michael owen again

Posted 08:35 4th July 2009

Tony Coles (Manchester United fan) says...

Michael Owen, playing for Man U. He's a proven goal poacher in the box. Rooney, Macheda and Danny Welbeck can only learn from a master. Hope he forgets his scouse roots and gives his all, then he'll earn something Stevie G hasn't got Championship medals.

Posted 08:21 4th July 2009

Stevie M (Rangers fan) says...

Well bit of a shock but Sir Alex probably thinks it's a risk worth taking and if he can get Michael back to his best he has stolen a proven goalscorer for free. He had a poor time at newcastle but he was playing for a poor footballing team who create little chances im sure things will be different at Man U with the talent they have around the pitch.

Posted 08:15 4th July 2009
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