G-Owen to Man Utd

In The Times today Tony Cascarino describes Michael Owen as a strange signing for Manchester United.  His logic seems to be that Owen’s injured so often he’s a big risk – he might only play 25 games, and score just 15 goals.

We posted on the merits of Michael Owen last month (take a read here), but again, what’s the problem?!  Most clubs would love to have a player who scores more than one every two games.  So what if he can only play 25 in a season? Newcastle’s problem was that they were dependent on Owen, with no other reliable strikers to step up and score when he couldn’t play.  At Utd this won’t be the case – if he’s not fit many others can play and score (I’m sure they’re not finished with new signings either), and if he is fit he can start/ come on and take the chances he’s given.  There will be less pressure on him to score (arguably he was suffering under the strain at Newcastle), and being signed by a big club like Utd will no doubt give his confidence a much-needed boost.

On the money front, all the papers seem pretty clear that Owen’s taking a big drop in wages (in essence gambling some cash for the chance to make it back into the England side).  This isn’t a deal that’s going to cost Utd mega-bucks, and will certainly leave plenty of cash free to make some longer-term player investments.  

It might not be the step-down some are suggesting for Utd. I would say good luck to the bloke (he’s had a rough ride with injuries and doesn’t get the credit his record deserves), but given that would mean goals for Utd, I wouldn’t really mean it…

Is the Owen deal a bargain or footballing suicide? Does it strengthen our chances in the league? Post a comment.

Comments

[Anthony Calleja]

In fact I was surprised our Chelsea did not try to sign Micheal Owen. How can anyone not try to sign Micheal Owen for free?

[CFC_KD]

Don't know, this feels a bit like a panic signing to me - Utd missed out on a couple of players to Madrid (who hasn't), and have panic bought. At one point this would have been a great signing (Fergie's admired Owen for a long time), but I'm afraid that time has passed.