Michael Owen Signs for Manchester United
Ferguson Shrewd to Acquire Former Liverpool Striker
Jul 6, 2009
Michael Owen must have ran all the way to Carrington, Manchester United’s training ground, to have breakfast with Sir Alex Ferguson last week in a last ditch attempt to prove his fitness in the hope of securing a move to Old Trafford.
Ferguson Phoned Owen to Tell The Striker He Wanted to Sign Him
Astonishingly, however, it was the other way around. Ferguson phoned Owen on Wednesday to tell the striker he wanted to sign him and naturally, the forward agreed without a moment’s thought, putting pen to paper on a two year deal.
Not a bad deal for a player who was employed by a Championship club in the shape of newly relegated Newcastle United. Not bad for a player who has only scored 26 goals in the last four years and who spent much of last year on the injury list. Unemployed professionals like Gavin Strachan, former Notts County player, who is currently looking for a new club must be seething with envy.
Ferguson Cannot Lose With This Transfer
So why did Ferguson choose to sign a has-been to represent the greatest club in England domestically and in Europe? Was the most decorated manager in football history drawn in by the glossy 36 page hand book sent round by Owen’s agent advertising his talents? Or did Ferguson want to add spice to the Premier League by taking on a former Liverpool player?
No. Ferguson added Owen to Manchester United’s wage bill because it was win win situation. If he succeeds, fantastic, if he doesn’t, he was free anyway.
The Liverpool Factor is Irrelevant
The Liverpool factor is irrelevant in the long run. Loyalty is largely dead in football, barring the Kaka’s of this world. In fact if a “Former Liverpool Player-Danger” file was delivered to the Scottish manager’s desk, the former Aberdeen chief would immediately throw it in the rubbish along with his broken hair dryer.
Supporters Will Have to Accept This Transfer
Whilst loyalty is dead, football rivalry is very much alive so it may take time but Manchester United and Liverpool supporters will have to accept this transfer, although some of the initial anti-Owen songs in the stands will make for amusing listening.
What Ferguson has got is a great striker hibernating under the shell of a lack of confidence. If Sir Alex Ferguson can lift this shell, allow the striker freedom to express himself in the right position, manage him correctly, link him up with Palacios and Berbatov, then supporters may just have witnessed the deal of the century take place last week.
Rooney Owen Partnership Has Not Worked in the Past
What will concern United’s supporters however, is the fact that the Rooney Owen partnership has failed in the past. When on the same field with England, the pair have failed to score up ten goals between them.
Ferguson Should Blend Owen Into the Team Successfully
Although that was under the leadership of man who has eclipsed Owen in terms of failure – Sven Goran Erikson. Sir Alex is a different cattle of fish, a wise old owl, a tactical genius who should find chemistry with the dynamic duo and blend Owen into the team. He did it with Eric Cantona and Henrik Larsson so turning Owen into a successful Red Devil should be manageable.
Michael Owen will want to be remembered as a great English goal scorer and not as a one-hit wonder who reached his peak at the age of 25. If anyone can install longevity into Owen it is Sir Alex Ferguson.
