Michael Owen

As I type, Michael Owen is at the Carrington training ground awaiting a medical.

Of course the outcome of a medical is what can make or break a deal for any player – in the case of a player with Michael Owen’s injury record, it is absolutely crucial and they’ll probably want to see him lifting elephants with his legs… or something.

I did say a few days ago that Fergie would sign someone who has not even been linked with United yet and it would raise a few eyebrows and this looks like it is going to be that signing from leftfield.

There can be no doubt that Fergie’s #1 target as far as a striker is concerned was Benzema but with him going to Real Madrid, it has perhaps left options thin on the ground but rather than make a panic buy as an alternative, he is opting for a stop-gap in Michael Owen who will cost nothing, is a proven out-and-out scorer and will buy us time while we perhaps watch how things progress with other targets over the next season or so.

I haven’t really been a massive Michael Owen fan of late because I believe he had lost his passion for the game and was at Newcastle just for the £120,000/week they were reportedly paying him. He has made no secret of the fact that horse racing has become a bigger part of his life over recent years and that will no doubt be the direction he takes once his footballing days are over.

Whether playing for Manchester United, playing for titles and cups and playing alongside better quality players will be what it takes to really get Michael’s juices flowing again remains to be seen (I hope so) but providing we’re not going to be paying him silly wages then I think it could be a fantastic bit of business by Fergie and a great move for Michael who has not won a thing since 2003 when he won the League Cup with Liverpool.

UPDATE

Later this afternoon, it was confirmed that Michael Owen had agreed a two year contract with Manchester United and becomes our second signing of the summer.