On Friday 3rd of July, Michael Owen signed with Manchester United, the current EPL champions. He had been a free agent since his contract with newly relegated Newcastle United expired on the 30th June.
The History
Over the last 12 years Michael Owen had become one of the most feared strikers in the world. His career started at Liverpool as a 16 year old boy, during which time he scored 118 goals in 216 games and won the FA and UEFA cup, making him one of their all-time great strikers. He burst onto the international stage during the 1998 World Cup, where against Argentina he scored the goal of the tournament, running the length of the pitch, beating 2 defenders and then calmly chipping the ball over the keeper.
After Liverpool, Owen signed for Real Madrid in the summer of ’04, where he struggled to cement a first team place and managed only 15 starts all season, though still keeping an impressive scoring record of 18 goals in 41 games. He returned to England with Newcastle United the very next season and to a club building a team to challenge for honours. Injuries stated to become common place for Owen during his Newcastle career and at the 2006 World Cup he damaged his right knee keeping him out for a year. Over the course of the 4 seasons with Newcastle, Owen managed only 76 games, scoring 30 goals in this time.
The Transfer
In the last 6 months at Newcastle, Owen was allowed to sign a pre-contract with other clubs, but there was a lack of reported interest in the striker. With Newcastle relegated Owen left as a free agent and in an attempt to revive interest, his management team sent a brochure to top teams in Europe, not so long ago clubs would have been fighting to sign him. With Hull and Stoke from the EPL looking like the only option, Manchester United shocked the soccer world and offered him a 2 year contract.
The Future
People still doubt whether Owen can stay fit long enough to remain a force in the game, but he still has the natural ability to find space in the opposition box, and has always scored goals wherever he’s played. The blistering pace he once had has gone, but the desire to get back to the top of the game is still there.
I see United using him mainly as a substitute; he could become the ideal player to bring on during stalemate games and snatch the winning goal. There is still the possibility that he could surprise us all and become a permanent fixture in their lineup and with Rooney they can re-establish their once successful international partnership. Owen has the potential to be a great signing for United, which could give them the edge in the title race and with costing nothing the risk is taken out of the transfer.
