The Goals:

During the 2008/09 Season, we played 64 matches.

In 31 of those games we scored ONE or LESS goals.

At times last season, we really did seem to be struggling to score a goal and even when we got one, we were never safe and another goal would have really put the game beyond doubt. On several occasions, we got by by the skin of our teeth.

What we have missed since the days of RVN is an out-an-out goal poacher, someone who comes alive in the six yard box, always seems to be in the right place at the right time and tucks in the “easy” chances.

Someone with a cool head who, given half a chance, will tuck it away.

The Injuries:

Michael Owen has only had one serious injury in his career – a cruciate ligament injury. This is the same injury that has been suffered by players such as RVN, Roy Keane and Alan Shearer but they continued to play at a very high level after the injury.

I was listening to Joe Kinnear this week and I think he made a very valid point in the case of Michael Owen. He made the point that Owen was the main striker at Newcastle and when he was injured, the priority was to get him back ASAP – sometimes this meant getting him back sooner than he should have ideally been brought back.

This sometimes led to further injuries because he was being rushed back despite being not fully fit.

This would not happen at Manchester United. Fergie has learned the hard way and now wraps his players in cotton wool after an injury. Sometimes they are fit but he still gives them an extra few days or a week to be doubly sure they are fully fit and ready to go.

The Liverpool Connection:

Would any Manchester United fan complain if Fernando Torres was to arrive at OT tomorrow? Nuff said.

Conclusion:

Michael Owen represents an excellent signing, he has been given a chance to ressurrect his career (at club and country level) in World Cup year. He will be taking it with both hands.

He will be on a fraction of the wages he was receiving at Newcastle (reports are £30k per week plus incentive type bonuses).

He cost NOTHING.

In my opinion, there is no downside to the signing of Michael Owen but we could yet end up proclaiming his signing as one of the best signings ever by Fergie by the end of the season. It isn’t a gamble. It is a calculated risk… there is a difference.