Man U

**John83** · 03/07/2009, 2:11 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

You're right there.

I think there has been a shift in power to La Liga as a lot of people are focusing on how good Barca have been this year, even in the English tabloids who generally refuse to take their head out of the Premiership's arse. I don't think there's any questions that they are the best team in the world.

This is true, and with Madrid buying a fairly impressive team to compete, there might be a lot of focus on those two next year.

**Denis The Red** · 04/07/2009, 1:00 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...td/8131801.stm

I really can't warm to this. It almost feels like your sister going out with your sworn enemy.

I never really rated him, even at his "best" when he was with the scousers. I think his whole career was based on one goal (world cup 98 v Argentina). Poborsky (Euro 96 v Portugal). John Jensen (euro 92 v Germany, never scored again for nearly 100 games for Arsenal) rings a few bells.
Sure, he'll have a better supply from midfield than he had at Newcastle and he knows where the net is but he'll offer far less than Tevez did around the area and I think he'll play less games.
Sorry but the jury is out on this one.

**footiefan** · 04/07/2009, 1:17 PM

Owens to Utd just seems wrong

**superfrank** · 04/07/2009, 2:46 PM

Yeah, he's been injury prone in the last few years but he still has a great scoring record. At the end of the day, that's all he does but he does it well.

**Infadel** · 04/07/2009, 5:59 PM

Looks like Manure FC have poached another youth player http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04072009/58/premier-league-italian-claims-united-deal.html

**MikeBassett** · 05/07/2009, 12:45 AM

I think Owen will turn out to be a good bit of business for United, can see him banging in a few goals this season.

One thing that's baffing me is the Liverpool fans slating Owen for joining United, saying this and that, but what do they honestly expect the lad to do? If you have a choice of signing for Hull City, Stoke or Man Utd who are you going to pick? It's a very easy decision in fairness

**Neish** · 05/07/2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by vidic-class

I think Owen will turn out to be a good bit of business for United, can see him banging in a few goals this season.

One thing that's baffing me is the Liverpool fans slating Owen for joining United, saying this and that, but what do they honestly expect the lad to do? If you have a choice of signing for Hull City, Stoke or Man Utd who are you going to pick? It's a very easy decision in fairness

Didn't see what fergie was at when I first heard about the move to sign Owen a few days ago, but I 'm starting to come round to the idea. Yes he has a cropped knee but if United can keep him in decent fitness, he has a fairly good scoring record and its not as if its costing the club a great deal he was a free transfer and has taken a wage cut of over 70% if the figure I've seen are correct.

**NeilMcD** · 05/07/2009, 3:53 PM

Originally Posted by footiefan

Owens to Utd just seems wrong

Who is this Owens guy

**jebus** · 05/07/2009, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by rava

What general shift in power?

The one that's seen the likes of Kaka, Benzema and Ronaldo go to La Liga and Whosits and Suchandsuch going to the Premiership

**KK77** · 06/07/2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by vidic-class

One thing that's baffing me is the Liverpool fans slating Owen for joining United, saying this and that, but what do they honestly expect the lad to do? If you have a choice of signing for Hull City, Stoke or Man Utd who are you going to pick? It's a very easy decision in fairness

No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals. Scholes for example would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to Anfield, he's got too much respect for his United legacy to ever contemplate that.

**Norm** · 06/07/2009, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Rafa B

No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals. Scholes for example would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to Anfield, he's got too much respect for his United legacy to ever contemplate that.

Michael Owen has not been a Liverpool player for around 5 years. As for "No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals" that in my opinion is nonsense. Weighing up Owens career to-date, this is an offer only a fool would turn down.
I'm a Liverpool fan and I for one think its a great move. If there is any club and Manager capable of getting the best out of M.Owen its United & Fergie.

I think its great that he will have a real chance at playing at the top level again.

**KK77** · 06/07/2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Norm

Michael Owen has not been a Liverpool player for around 5 years. As for "No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals" that in my opinion is nonsense. Weighing up Owens career to-date, this is an offer only a fool would turn down.
I'm a Liverpool fan and I for one think its a great move. If there is any club and Manager capable of getting the best out of M.Owen its United & Fergie.

I think its great that he will have a real chance at playing at the top level again.

It's just my opinion so please don't call it nonsense because it's not nonsense it's just my opinion. You are right though he left Liverpool 5 years ago for the promised land

**John83** · 06/07/2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Rafa B

It's just my opinion so please don't call it nonsense because it's not nonsense it's just my opinion.

Sure, and criticising absurd beliefs is illegal.

Wait, what? Damn you Dermot Ahern!

**KK77** · 06/07/2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by John83

Sure, and criticising absurd beliefs is illegal.

Wait, what? Damn you Dermot Ahern!

**DeLorean** · 06/07/2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Denis The Red

I never really rated him, even at his "best" when he was with the scousers. I think his whole career was based on one goal (world cup 98 v Argentina). Poborsky (Euro 96 v Portugal). John Jensen (euro 92 v Germany, never scored again for nearly 100 games for Arsenal) rings a few bells.

I can't believe this hasn't been absolutely slated. Maybe it's so mental that people didn't even know where to begin. Owen has pretty much a goal to every other game ratio so how can his entire career be revolved around one goal. Yes, it was a very high profile goal but you could hardly argue that he promised more than he delivered, scoring another 39 goals for England including a hat-trick in Germany. He won the FA Cup for Liverpool turning defeat into victory with 2 great goals. He scored 118 times for Liverpool in 216 games and even at Madrid, where he was considered a failure by most, he scored 18 times in 41 appearances (only 15 of which were starts)ref-Wiki!! Yes, I can see how you would compare his contribution to a defensive midfielder who just happened to score one famous goal.

By the way, Jensen also scored once for Arsenal!!

**DmanDmythDledge** · 06/07/2009, 1:21 PM

He'd have smashed the England goal scoring record too if he hadn't been plagued with injuries in recent years.

Originally Posted by Rafa B

No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals. Scholes for example would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to Anfield, he's got too much respect for his United legacy to ever contemplate that.

As soon as Man Utd let Owen know they were interested in signing him his agent was on the phone to Liverpool trying to get a move back to Anfield. Players say they will never play for their rivals all the time and, while they probably mean it at the time, most importantly they have their career to worry about. Man Utd or Hull? Any Liverpool player would choose Man Utd (and vice versa), I've no doubt about it.

**coast boy** · 06/07/2009, 2:16 PM

[quote=vidic-class;1187010]I think Owen will turn out to be a good bit of business for United, can see him banging in a few goals this season.

Owen wont be on the field to score any goals. Capello is a great judge of player and wont touch him for the national team. he'l spend most of the year on the treatment table. The United medical team will be busy next year!

**gustavo** · 06/07/2009, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by coast boy

Originally Posted by vidic-class

I think Owen will turn out to be a good bit of business for United, can see him banging in a few goals this season.

Owen wont be on the field to score any goals. Capello is a great judge of player and wont touch him for the national team. he'l spend most of the year on the treatment table. The United medical team will be busy next year!

If that is the case then the deal will be costing Manchester United very little given the terms of his contract

I guess Ferguson is going on the adage of form being temporary and class permanent and given that when Owen is fit and playing he invariably scores goals.

It would be more of a risk for a mid table team like Blackburn to sign him given that to go there he probably would have been looking for assurances like a guaranteed first team place and a decent wage

**shakermaker1982** · 06/07/2009, 9:07 PM

I was surprised but he costs nothing and if he stays fit he could be a useful acquisition. It's not the big name the fans wanted but you'd think Fergie will splash some of the Ronaldo cash to beef up central midfield.

On his day Owen was a real danger. Pace to burn and a natural finisher but injuries have probably taken their toll so it will be interesting to see how Fergie deploys him. Rooney is injury prone (how many times does he break his metatarsel?!) as well so it might all be down to Berbatov next season....

**old git** · 06/07/2009, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Rafa B

No player with an ounce of dignity would play for their former teams greatest rivals. Scholes for example would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to Anfield, he's got too much respect for his United legacy to ever contemplate that.

rafa b .. did you feel the same way when ex utd player paul ince signed for liverpool

not much dignity left in the modern game these days money talks even looks like tevez is eager & willing to join man city after 2 years at utd..