Michael Owen EXCLUSIVE

ONCE A RED - Michael Owen

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Americans' caution before buying Mike Ashley's troubled club

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By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 04/07/2009

MICHAEL OWEN would have taken a £100,000-a-week pay CUT to rejoin Liverpool.

Even while Owen was in negotiations with Manchester United, efforts were made on his behalf to force an Anfield intervention.

The England striker was so desperate to return to the club where he emerged as a world-class goalscorer that he would have accepted a basic salary of just £25,000-a-week plus goal and appearance bonuses.

But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez's doubts over Owen's form, fitness and desire to put his club before his England ambitions ensured he rejected repeated attempts to persuade him to re-sign the player he sold five years ago.

Benitez also recalled how Owen upset the Anfield faithful twice when he left in 2004 and then failed to return in 2005. The Kop boss had no intention of risking being jilted a third time by trying to hijack the United swoop.

Owen had earlier delayed a decision on his future in the forlorn hope his old club would make a move. As the doctors awaited Owen's arrival at Carrington, phone calls were being made in a bid to ignite Liverpool's interest.

Co-owner George Gillett was particularly keen to sign the 29-year-old, having first met Owen in the Colorado clinic where he underwent knee surgery after the 2006 World Cup.

But by Thursday, Sir Alex Ferguson's powers of persuasion had killed Owen's lingering Kop loyalties. Ferguson convinced him to turn his back on both the Merseyside clubs, after Everton had put together a £2.4million-a-year package.

Owen met Goodison boss David Moyes in Miami and was impressed with the Scot's plans for next season. Moyes was prepared to restructure his side to accommodate Owen and was in prime position to sign him.

Chairman Bill Kenwright was also keen on a deal, feeling it would lay down a marker of his club's ambitions.

But Owen was wary of crossing the Stanley Park divide, unwavering in his belief that he belongs on a Champions League stage and can force his way back into Fabio Capello's World Cup plans.

UNITED BOSS - Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson moved swiftly with a call to Owen on Wednesday morning and, by Thursday night, a £50,000-a-week contract. Owen could double that figure, though, with goals and appearances to take him close to the £125,000 he was earning at Newcastle.

Ferguson's United will relish the fact Liverpool fans will be cursing more than ever if Owen denies them future titles, because the Kop refused first option of taking the striker back.

Yet it will take only a tweak of Owen's hamstring - or the unveiling of an alternative top-class back-up for Fernando Torres - to justify Benitez's stance. Owen's recent injury record meant Rafa was cautious about taking a sentimental journey.

He is also concerned about what level of transfer resources he has at his disposal, even for bargain deals. That is unlike Fergie, who knows he can afford to make a mistake.

The Spanish boss will be relieved that a saga which began weeks after his arrival from Valencia has come to an emphatic end.

Repeated efforts by Owen's admirers to secure his return to Liverpool were visibly irritating Benitez, always unconvinced of the merits. He insisted he wanted to look to the future, not Liverpool's past.

He was upset at the timing of the striker's departure for Real Madrid in 2004, a month after Rafa became Liverpool boss, but felt more annoyed when Owen did not hold out for an Anfield move a year down the line - despite face-to-face talks and a pledge to take him six months later.

At that time, Benitez felt Owen had shown he was more concerned about being prepared for the 2006 World Cup than playing for Liverpool.

Since then, Benitez has regularly made public his resistance to signing him.

KOP BOSS - Rafa Benitez

The United transfer effectively ends four years of Owen regularly pleading to return to Anfield. There were approaches by his representatives to secure a Liverpool move every season he spent on Tyneside.

Now Owen has crossed a line no Liverpool fan will accept. The former Kop idol can expect a torrid reception after becoming the first player to join both clubs since Paul Ince.

Ironically, the summer began with Liverpool pursuing a United favourite, Carlos Tevez.

If Liverpool's forlorn pursuit of the South American temporarily crept under the skin of the Stretford End, it pales into insignificance to the back spasms felt on The Kop at the sight of Owen now at Old Trafford.

The failure even to acknowledge his Anfield past when unveiled on Friday, or appreciate the despair felt on Merseyside at the sight of him in a United shirt, hurt Liverpool fans even more.

Ferguson has never made football decisions for anything other than football reasons. But he will be cunningly aware of the wider repercussions.

There is an unavoidable sense the North West superpowers are making transfer decisions they hope will come back to haunt each other.

And while many claim Fergie has taken a gamble on Owen, it may also be argued Rafa has taken a punt in ignoring him.

Your comments

This article has 102 comments

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michael owen will surprise many by coming world class player as he used to be.credit goes to Alex for signing him

By fico.. Posted July 22 2009 at 11:06 AM.

Being a die-hard Liverpool fan from Malaysia, I know how Rafa felt when Owen "jilted" him after one month in charge of Liverpool........claiming that he was serching for Champions League success with Real Madrid. And yet Istanbul 2005 turned out to be the best ever CL Final of all time.

Owen is an "outdated" type of striker.
Current modern football demands "all rounder" character from a striker >> opportunist (this is only what Owen has), pace, team player, holding down play, creative passing, defending, etc. Torres fits this bill perfectly.

In Rafa We Trust

By YNWA.. Posted July 19 2009 at 3:16 AM.

Well done Rafa again! I agree with an earlier comment that Rafa has missed a trick here,whilst saf has just got on with it.No doubt this will mirror his negative approach during the season & that's the difference between 1st & 2nd - oh,like last season!!!Rafa is too stubborn for the good of the club & it defies belief that,after a rigorous medical Owen wouldn't be an assett for club & country - If he was happy with £25k then surely this shows his willingness to compromise for the chance to prove himself?Thanks Rafa....

By warr b.. Posted July 8 2009 at 10:38 AM.

I'm interested, Benitez is concerned that Owen would put England before Liverpool. This is nonsense, How could it be possible to be playing good enough to be re-selected for the England team, without performing well for Liverpool?

That would be impossible. Oh, that's right, it is not Spain that is calling.

By durk.. Posted July 7 2009 at 8:06 AM.

Hi.Am from Mauritius and though i cant boast of watching the games from the kop,i have been a liverpool fan since i was 5yrs old.Here in Mauritius,people r crazy abt the premiership and are all awaiting the new season eagerly.All true liverpool fans hv to pay tribute to all the extraordinary sensations that Michael threw at us while he was playing for us.I can only wish him the very best.

By Roshan .. Posted July 6 2009 at 5:28 PM.

HES NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR LIVERPOOL!!!

Man u on the other hand.... hell be first pick every game!

By shane .. Posted July 6 2009 at 1:40 AM.

Not a bargain at all, in my view. There's no place for goal-poachers in the modern game any more, a centre forward needs to be able to do so much more - such as holding the ball up to bring attacking midfielders into play, working the channels to create space, and creating chances single-handedly when service is poor. Owen may knock a few goals in, but ultimately he will be detracting from Man U's overall performance. Let's not forget that Owen has always needed a run of consecutive games to get his sharpness in between hamstring tweaks, but he's not going to get that with Rooney and Berbatov ahead of him. You'd have been better off giving more game time to Macheda and Wellbeck.

You also have to question his commitment, Mancs - he wanted to go to Liverpool first and foremost, but was knocked back. He talks about the England team almost immediately after making the transfer. Every goal he knocks in, every half-decent pass he makes will not be for the good of Man Utd, but an attempt to get in the good books of Fabio Capello. He screwed Liverpool out of what should have been a huge transfer fee at his departure, he has shown remarkably little dedication to the cause at Newcastle, having his agents peddle around his own personal Argos catalogue when he should have taken a pay cut and fired them back into the Premier. I'd say he owed Newcastle that after the amount they paid him and the little effort he put in.

Still, I suppose you had to fill that Tevez-shaped hole somehow.

By Chicken Bang Bang.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:59 PM.

Michael who?????????

By Edwardo.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:20 PM.

As long as rafa is at the pool Owen will never play for them, when Owen left Madrid Liverpool offered him a wage cut contract but thee greedy Owen went to Newcastle..he's just a joke..obviously Rafa has snubbed him this time for what he did the first time..Owen is just greedy

By Josh LFC.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:12 PM.

Errm,
Well as a loyal Liverpool supporter i am disappointed Rafa didn't take Micheal back ...but he did the best he could for us ...
I really wish him well though i hope he mis hits against us ...
He's worth his salt and he's still one of the very best ..

I hate the Mancs and can't say i am happy with Fergies decision but think this is his way of getting at us for beating them at old toilet...4-1 he he it will make me laugh all season ...

I think we shouldn't sell Alonso and Masch pay them more we have a great couple of young strikers craig and daniel give them a go with torres...

Good midfield in spearing etc
If we sell then get a good player in return and money for transfer for next season and play our youngsters...
its our only way out of the financial mess ....and its not as if with all the senior players around they can't fill the breach...

By neverwalkalone3.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:15 PM.

I am a Liverpool supporter through and through and I could not care less about Michael Owen as Michael Owen only thinks about Michael Owen. He puts England before his club and always will. I sit in the Kop week in week out and no one likes him and have never wanted him back even when he went to Newcastle. Mancs are welcome to the crock. As long as we have Torres who is the best striker in the world we are very very happy. As for Tevez he is a similar player to Kuyt but Kuyt scores more goals. I didn't want Tevez either.

By Karen Jones.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:06 PM.

Although i can't understand why Manu wanted him, as they have the money to buy almost anyone, Liverpool were mad to turn him down. A free transfer for a club thats skint - its a no brainer.

As a real Liverpool fan, who has seen Owen play, i wish him well - although obviously not too well against us.

Its the best offer available to him, and he would be mad not to take it.

By Damo.. Posted July 5 2009 at 6:12 PM.

This article was surprisingly quite a good read, it just shows how much this deal has got up the Scousers' noses. This is nothing more than a poor, made up article from a bitter self-proclaimed Liverpool fan.

"He is also concerned about what level of transfer resources he has at his disposal, even for bargain deals. That is unlike Fergie, who knows he can afford to make a mistake." So Benitez can't afford a free transfer with very low wages, despite Liverpool having spent £45m more than United during the duration of Benitez's reign? OK then. Keep making your excuses, the constant clutching at straws brings much entertainment!

By toddd.. Posted July 5 2009 at 5:35 PM.

Get over it he left liverpool 6 years ago, its not as if he drove down the motorway from Anfield to Old Toilet, If Rafa didnt consider him good enough for Liverpool after his constant pleading to return there,then thats good enough for me ! Wish him all the best in the few years he has left of his football life!!

By Stephen Gorman.. Posted July 5 2009 at 5:13 PM.

I must admit as a man u fan, it is a bit of a gamble taking on owen. But lets face it the red hot weather and minimal tax in spain is attracting all the talent at the min and making transfer fees rediculous. Owen on 50k a week no transfer is a steel in the position the prem is in at the moment. I say well done fergie. were doin buisness and ok they may be unproven at the top level e.g valencia or lacking the desire of previous times (owen) bt its united. You do or die under fergie he wont carry any player and i belive he will get the best out of them. I do agree we operate best with 4 strikers and hopefully we will get one of the following - eto, villa, aguero. yes its crazy money bt we have let our star player leave, which i do believe it was for the best. with hargreaves bk and wayne in the cf position we will move on. A winger and a forward is required to maintain the squad depth of last year for me as nani doesnt look up 2 it and seems reluctant 2 adapt. but keep the faith n lets hope the boys can make it no19 this year.

By stevey g (not the scoucer).. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:24 PM.

By stevey g (not the scoucer).. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:16 PM.

Past it! How long before he's injured again? Fergie's loosing the plot! Liverpool must be laughing!

By Hazza.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:44 PM.

Fact- Owen plays 2 games- injured for 6, back for 1 out again for 3 but fit for the England game then out again for 2 months- watch this space Man u. Thanks for the good times Owen -NOT.
enjoy the cash you sucked out of Newcastle

By stevie.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:33 PM.

whats all the fuss about? only last month owen was being written off as a has been now he,s signed for man utd(after rafa refused to consider taking him back home)he,s being slatted.totally wrong in my veiw good luck micheal you scored some great goals for us and i just wish rafa had had a bit more insight even as a squad member i think you were worth a gamble now you,ll be even more determine to do well.all the best just hope you don,t score against us

By jim hooper L.F.C... Posted July 5 2009 at 3:31 PM.

hmmmm tevez or owen, thats a hard choice to make!!!!!
I know lets miff off tevez and sign owen, hes a lot cheaper!!!! Keep on going backward Man Who!!!!
Liverpool are getting better than ya!!!!

By Ant.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:24 PM.

Michael Owen signing for Manu, is it a gamble? of course it is, but we got him for nowt, aint paying him big money, so a wise buy in my opinion.

If he wants to earn the big bucks he'll have to put the work in same as the rest of the team.

Think the scousers need to worry more bout who they arent signing, seems like rafa only has scouts in spain, does he not realise other nationalities produce top players too.

Stop your cryng and moaning i'm sure you's will win the Premiership sometime in the distant future and you's wont have to wait another 21 years.

Good signing Fergie, 2 midfielders and another striker would be nice too.

Manu and Owen to top the premiership 2009/10
Chelsea to finish 2nd
Arsenal to finish 3rd
Either Liverpool, Everton, Man City or Aston Villa to finish 4th

By Daddydaz MUFC 4 LIFE.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:17 PM.

Chris Reilly talks about the Torres song but the scousers stole that from Man Utd - it is John O'Shea's song

By g.Angel.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:12 PM.

united cant loose really, with almost everyone slating owen and writing off his chances.

By kirst.. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:09 PM.

2008/09

Owen 21 starts 8 goals
Rooney 25 starts 12 goals
Berbatov 29 starts 9 goals

FERNANDO TORRES 20 starts 14 goals

Doesn't take a genius to note Torres > all 3

By Torresgol.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:59 PM.

This is a very interesting move for owen. I think he will be a sub at OT. Man Utd have not finished looking for a striker. I am not sure if Owen is up to playing at this level so it wil be a real test.

People keep saying that Owen has a great record and I agree with that. However it's about what he can do now. At Newcastle he spent more time injured than on the pitch, he did end up with 10 goals. If Owen wants to make a mark at OT he will have to find the fitness and form that made he a quality player a few years ago. Weather he can recapture that form remains to be seen, I have my doubts though.

The expectations of Man Utd are huge. If you end the season empty handed at a Smaller club like Chelsea it's still a good season, however at Man Utd it's totally different. It's the history, the record of the club the players that have played there in the past.

I am Man Utd through and through. I just hope Owen can reproduce the football that made his name. I know he is not as fast as he was but if he can get us 15 goals from the bench I will be pleased the midea will be watching him with interest as will I.

By Warren.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:40 PM.

First off, this is a shrewd bit of business. Lets not forget that he was free and 50k a week is nothing to the club.
And will people shut up talking like Fergie has given up, its only Benzema that we failed to sign, Ribery has gone nowhere yet. It's only July, lets see who he spends the £80m on by September the 1st, and then we'll all enjoy looking down on Torres and Gerrard FC when they get put into 6th by City and Villa, because Rafa has no ability to sign a decent squad. Never gonna win the Prem with Ngog and Lucas coming off the bench.

By Scott (MUFC).. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:46 PM.

I just want him to play 10 games and see him lift the pl title with Utd. I dont care if he is injured for the rest of the season or doesnt even score a goal. The kop will burn with jealousy.

By Owen2Utd.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:40 AM.

Why is anyone begrudging owens move to man utd, its obvious fergie is doing it to try and aggrevate the liverpool fans, owen wont make an impact, teves is a much better player look how he treated him! true Liverpool fans will never hate owen he's just looking out for himself, theres nothing wrong with that. He will score maybe 10 goals for utd before being sold to a team like sunderland or stoke, its i pitty because he was once a great player.

lfc fan

By J, Bates.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:10 PM.

the biggest gambler in football bottled it in panic signing for newcastle when he could of waited a few month's and gone back to liverpool. i'd never ever knock michael owen and i dont mind him scoring every week as long as utd loose 2-1. if i was a utd fan i,d find it hard to to take to him when you know 100% he,d rather be in liverpool red

By chrissyren.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:10 PM.

Despite the carefully cultivated 'nice-guy' image, Michael Owen was rather unpopular at Liverpool because he believed he was better than his team-mates - and it showed!!. I suspect this is the main reason why Rafa doesn't want him back.

By Eric Bolan.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:04 PM.

I don't know why so many people slag off Owen!
I mean Jesus Christ what is peoples problems?
and forget that he apparently has no loyalty to Liverpool! he kept asking and hoping for a return. would you turn down the chance to play for Fergie's United? hell no you wouldn't.

Benitez is a fool, the amount of strikers hes bought and sold. Owen, Heskey, Fowler, Bellamy, Morientes, Crouch, Keane...
he just lets them go, Liverpool will never win the league with him in charge, he has a big inability to buy players to help Torres and Gerrard.

Chelsea have made the same mistake lately, letting go of some creative young players and not replacing them. however, with Man Uniteds best player of the last 3 years, Chelsea will probably have a chance of winning the league now.

but don't rule out Owen, he may not play all the time, will probs warm the bench, but dont forget his Real Madrid season, he came off the bench and scored all the time. at Newcastle he scored some important goals, fergie pulling this off could be the difference between United and Chelsea winning the league.

By adios Ronaldo! chelsea might win the league now.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:31 PM.

Truth is Owen will go out of his way to stay injured where he can pick up his wages & go horse racing & hop round the golf course. I think it was quite decent of Owen to be a drain on Manure & not a club with less resources like Hull or Stoke.

By Ade.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:05 PM.

Merely an act of desperation, having lost the race for a number of strikers this summer, Owen appears to be a last resort. His fitness level and condition make him a constant injury risk, however, even if injured he would probably go unmissed anyway.
His performances were poor at Newcastle, they are a second rate team but look at Robinho's performances at City who still manages to score despite a lack of quality support.
Owen is a has been and will never be the player he was during his time at Anfield, he is a 'brand name' footballer i.e.- the product is only as good as other cheaper brands, but the price is far higher.

By LUFC SC.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:06 PM.

i think owen should have gone to everton because they need a striker ergentlyy!!!!!!! if everton sign some good key players this season we will be top of the league

By billy.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:48 PM.

hi hasqo read those comments see hw man u is called or O T is (old toillet)

By hasqo.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:01 PM.

Theres only 2 things Owen wants from this move:
1. To get back into the England team
2. Publicity.
Think about it.. he wasnt getting any of this with newcastle.

By Adam.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:04 PM.

lol makes ya laugh its only cse fergie couldnt get his transfer targets tht es gone for owen wat a joker owen stabbed us in the back then couple of months latter we win the champions leauge lol makes a change for unted to b the feeder club for other clubs now the know wat its like keep owen e crap now ne way

By jezer76.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:17 PM.

how can any of you lot say how well he is gonna play with service from the likes of fletcher, carrick, giggs, anderson, park, nani, and of course playin next to rooney is not gna b borin. every1 in england should be proud that the best 2 strikers for the best club are ENGLISH

By ryberto.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:54 PM.

Listen, you people are all too blinkered... Look a the bigger picture.... Its not a UTD v Liverpool situation here, those days have long gone...
Stop living in the past. its all about now and this coming season and after.

1. Owen is a Free Transfer, whos the winner?
2. Top 4 places will be at a premium as Man City are building a team to gate crash the top 4 party.
3. Arsenal, Chelsea and Utd are the only teams which are doing something in the Transfer window. Liverpool aint doing much. Granted, Torres currently is the best striker in the country, but what did utd win when we had Ruud Van nistlerooy, almost nothing.... When Shearer was at newscastle, they won nothing. Unless Liverpool buy some quality players for the team, you aint in the top 4 for this season, its doesnt matter about winning the champions league as you dont have to be the best team in europe to win it... Liverpool proved this in 2005 and porto the year before. The League is the most important, the ECL is the Icing on the cake always.

Im not interested in what Real Madrid are doing, its our league which is most important. The Priority are EPL, ECL, FAC and anything after is great... and anyone who knows much about football will agree with me regardless of bias......

Liverpool, Watch your back coz City are on there way, mark my words... but that a warning to all the top 4 clubs...........

By Paul (Stretford - UTD fan).. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:48 PM.

I meant David Silva is the player we should buy...

By SheeRaa.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:11 PM.

Owen will end up at Everton, all Man bUnited rejects go there.

By born in liverpool.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:56 PM.

I can only wish Michael well in his future career. We had the best footballing years of his life, and who can ever forget his goals against Arsenal in the FA cup. I was overjoyed when we brought Robbie back but in truth he was never the same. So I think Rafa's right even though I will hate to see Michael in a Man U shirt. Please dont ever kiss their badge !

By AJ.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:20 PM.

he's gone and he was a bit desparate at the end, the guy who won the cup for us against a brilliant Arsenal who played us off the park at the Millenium in 2001 and yet he had two chances and took them both and stole the cup so for that and for that alone I could never slag Owen, he plays for himself so what is wrong with that? His best days are long gone and Liverpool knew that when they let go but since then only confirms that Michael prefers race tracks to running tracks and that is just fine with me....

By steviebabe.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:53 PM.

Wonder how often he'll get a game at Old Trafford?
Maybe in the Carling Cup now and again...
David Villa is the player 4 us...

By SheeRaa.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:09 PM.

blah blah yadda yadda scousers making predictions about who will or won't win the prem

what do you know about anything, neverwinners?

I can't stand the little scouser myself, but it wont make any difference to our chances of winning. either he scores goals or he doesnt and gets dropped, we got plenty more talent in reserve

21 years without a title

lol

By MUFC One Love.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:15 AM.

Go rot in hell Michael

By Nick.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:05 AM.

Owen is a good player but Rafa has made the right decision as he is right by saying owen has upset the odds twice.
But why are man u fans going on like they have just signed Messi? LOL Owen was not good enough for you a few years ago according to you lot so what makes you think he is good enough for you now? Sayin that he can play when Dietmar Lazytov does not want too.
Oh by the way a little desperate since as how you hav 80m to spend, Think Fergie is cracking up!

By Matt.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:56 AM.

Michael Owen is a red, he hates scousers !!!

By Hugh G Rection.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:07 AM.

Wooooooo i can just imagine a combination of Bebertov and owen(when rooney ids rested or on a red card)... will be deadly...... hahahahahaha

By Red.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:20 AM.

Owen left Liverpool and they won the Champions League. He moved to Madrid, they won nothing. He then moved to Newcastle, they got relegated.

Man U you are welcome to him.

By Kevin.. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:28 AM.

UTD only went for M.Owen because they were stupid enough not to @least match what Real offered Lyon fo Benzema! Owen's not going to be Benzema but he can be an impact player, our 3rd-4th striker like Solksjaer...
But Utd still got to have another striker in their armoury, maybe Eto'o or S.Aguero so that we could afford to start with either 2 or 3 strikers even!

An attacking midfielder to provide the spark would be most welcome since we already have 4young wingers who'd be vying for 2places but if David Silva becomes available, snap him!!

By amrit.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:58 AM.

Hi ppl? I c Owen's signin as a vry gud fin 4 us. truly he may b injury prone bt he myt jst b on his way 2 breakin his own LFC record n God hlpin him, he wil b less injury prone... owen is a gud player n i bliv he stil gt d potentials n d xperience evn if consistency denies him som of his ryts.

By Tony.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:57 AM.

Manchester United have a frontline of scouse hearted players. That's a victory for the City of Liverpool right there!!!

By Pete.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:43 AM.

Owen has never scored 20 goals in a season and never will!!! the mancs at old toilet can have him

By MILAN.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:49 AM.

Could be real nice, with a ball in to is feet he could be quite a poiacher for united, psychologically he's gonna be motivated for the world cup too. From an england perspective this is good news for developing interplay with Wayne. Whether he is as effective as the departed Carlos Tevez remains to be seen though...

By dave.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:49 AM.

Finally Michael Owen has reached the u-bend of his career. Not wanted by Liverpool or england that last ''big'' transfer has sent him to the ultimate shirt sellers goodbye Michael thanks for the memories. You're finished (p.s. mancs his body will only last for about 30 mins per season)

By Richard.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:58 AM.

As a Liverpool fan I fully back Rafa in his decision not to bring Owen back to Anfield.
We should not forget that in 2004 Owen strung Liverpool along and ran down his contract to join Real Madrid for a pittance. Owen thinks of no one but himself and has no loyalty and deserves what has happened to his careeer since he left Anfield.
His main objective now is to use the Man Utd bandwagon to get to the World Cup next year.
He's not loved by Liverpool fans, he's hated by the Toon Army and I doubt the UTD fans will take to him while he will be spending most of his time on the treatment table.
IN RAFA WE TRUST!!!!!!!

By Gogo159.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:18 AM.

I wonder if owen does go on to help united win silverware will that make the likes of gerrard and torres think their at the wrong club and move on to gain success elsewhere, after all all that effort year in year out with no reward must make them think!!!!

By Shaun p.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:01 AM.

How truly big of Owen but being as filthy rich as he is he should really be saying he would have returned to his beloved Liverpool for no wages at all. Fat chance of that eh.

By steve smith.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:02 AM.

if you sad manc muppits think that antonio valencia and an injury prone, money grabbing judas like michael owen are ample replacements for 'the winker' and 'the bull', ur sadly disillusioned. it's like flogging a bugatti veyron and a lambo and replacing em with an escort and a capri. the last time you flogged your number 7 (beckham should you ask) you won nowt for 3 years, and the same will apply now. you'll be lucky to come 3rd.

By mark.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:38 AM.

When Owen left Liverpool for Madrid he went to 'win trophies'....well what happened?

Liverpool won the ECL the year after whilst Owen was left holding....yes yiu guessed it...Nil Trophies.

The man's cursed - you are welcome to 'im!!

By A Singh.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:20 AM.

you liverpool supporters what do you expect owen to do benitz never came calling sir alex did it is as simple as that he did make a mistake leaving anfield in the first place he never wanted to play for n/castle there was rumours that sir alex was interested but it never happened if it was a toss up between stoke hull or man u i know where i would go without so much as a bye or a leave he owes liverpool no sense of loyalty he wants to play c/league football and play in the world cup hopefully sighning for man u will raise his confidence and he will be ronaldos replacement

By jade.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:19 AM.

I cant beleive there are Liverpool fans that wanted this guy back but whats even worse is the self obsessed man u fans that have suddenly changed their opinions on owen purely based on the fact he has joined there club now and oh how quikly they forget about the times they were saying how over rated he was and how hes lost his pace now so is a has been and we hope he does go back to Liverpool as this will give us the title easily yada yada yada yada. It was just yesterday i had to bring some of the manu fans previous posts to their attention of when they were slating owen in the past and how he will never be great again or in some cases people whom claimed he never was even in his glory days and asked them why now hes the best thing ever to them? to wich the reply so far has been total silence................. thickle idiots, maybe Liverpool fans are right you are plastic fans, most of you groups of glory supporting fans with no other reasons to be supporting manu other than they were top while you were at school

By Keith.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:43 AM.

I think everyones forgetting that when rafa took over has liverpool manager, owen snubbed rafa's plea's to stay at anfield. owen ignored those offers to stay and he left lfc.
Why would rafa want a player who has snubbed him?
I think the same as all the other lfc supporters that we don't want owen because he showed no respect to stay at lfc and he left for the MONEY and went to newcastle for more MONEY and let their fans down with his unacceptable performances on the pitch.
he's a money grabbing horse trainer who isn't interested in football these days

By bonnythescouser.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:10 AM.

I thnk LFC fans are guuted Tevez told them to @@@@ oFF. Owen came to us.....so accept it. whether its a risk or not who cares. we paid NOTHING for his services.

Great deal Fergie. Its like finding a £20 note on the floor. U take it with a smile and treat your self to something nice.

By MICKEY MANYOO.. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:10 AM.

nobody can tell what owen will do at the mancs if he gets the service HE NEEDS he will score. im glad rafa didnt sign him we dont need him anymore. it could be good business by fergie or another veron only time will tell....and plzzzz manc fans dont think we are bothered u signed him we have no affection for him he puts himself b4 the club always has always will
ynwa jft96

By g savage.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:48 AM.

Owen thanks for your best years . You were a great scorer in an average team . Now your an average scorer in a good team . A great team last year . Liverpool don't need owen we don't play in a way that owen would thrive. Owen will score for man utd. But I can also see him limping off at some point proving rafa right . It is too big a gamble ;) Liverpool must think future . Think another young owen /fowler / torres. More exciting prospects negredo ? Who knows but someone is out there nemeth ? All the same fergie good luck , man city look better than you but not as good as liverpool masch to stay and you'll never walk Alonso .

By zinc.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:36 AM.

rafa had done the right thing...we don't need owen..come on villa!!!!

By gg.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:21 AM.

Im a Man U fan and most of my mates are Scousers and what makes this transfer more pleasing to me is that only a few days ago a couple of them where telling me of ther delight that owen would be returning to his "spirtual home" Ha! And that his best form is far from behind him, Ha! "you watch owen reamerge as 1 of the best strikers in the world at the top team in England" Ha! Well I think there prediction may be right only thing being, He might actually win something with the Champions this year, Ha! Come on United , Come on Owen. GOALS GOALS GOALS. Yes , Great signing Fergie

By damo.. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:04 AM.

think about all of the newcastle fans and his non injuries the only thing he did at newcastle was turn on the christmas lights

By bob.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:51 AM.

Let the Liverpool fans do what they have come good at for the last 20yrs, TALK!!!
If Owen & Valencia are such poor signings then surely your going to win the premiership hands down without breaking a sweat. YAWN YAWN YAWN. You Just keep putting the extra pressure on your club and get the cloth ready to remove the egg AGAIN next May!!!!!

By Gary Harris.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:51 AM.

what will the scousers think? when owen is picking up a premier league winners medal, before gerrard and co?
at least he wearing the true red shirt NOW!!!

By jay bish.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:57 AM.

Owen will score goals in the Man U setup but I doubt he will ever be a fans favourite......Owen is NOT a team player and is only out for himself. He has already made noises about getting back into the England team instead of proving it on the pitch and letting his goals speak for themselves. All he is, is a goal moocher.....give him the ball in the 6 yard box and he will score but he will contribute very little else to any team he plays in. I predict the Man U fans will not take to him because even if he does score 15-20 goals a season he will be doing it for himself and not the cause

By Billy NUFC.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:44 AM.

let him go where he wants, like mcmanaman he showed no loyalty to liverpool,he never had the love of the crowd anyway like fowler or rush and now torres, i for one didnt want him back, especialy if you needed him cos of injuries to others ,then he TWEEKS his hamstring again.

By roy.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:39 AM.

Bear in mind, SAF was in hot competition with ...not one...but BOTH... Hull and Stoke!!!! And he got his man!! What a masterstroke Fergie, u da man!! Why wud Big Sam turn down the chance to sign him??...oh yeh..he's worked with him before :P
Owen will score goals, but so wud Dalglish if we put him up front. And Kenny wud play more and score more, SAF has lost the plot hahahahahahahahaha

By keith.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:36 AM.

Merely pointing out that Rafa already has Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and the not too inconsiderable talents of Dirk Kuyt to call upon as back up strikers to the World's Best in Torres, I would suggest that Rafa is absolutely 100% correct in not wanting to bring Michael back to Anfield just so he can pursue his England career.
Perhaops if Owen had 'retired' from international football Rafa would then have seen a commitment he liked, but the previous saga when Owen went to Newcastle when he could have come home showed us all that while Liverpool provided Owen with all he needed to become a wlrd class striker back in his day, ego, glory hunting and the distraction of owning stables and horses all got the better of him.
Go get us a right winger Rafa, and we'll all be happy.

By Tony.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:28 AM.

The first thing Owen spoke about after signing for Man Utd was getting back into the England side!

Poor old Fergie's totally lost it - losing Ronaldo and Tevez and replacing them with an average Wigan player and the Bionic Jockey? What happened to all these superstars, lining up to move to Old Toilet?

Looks like that £80m really has gone to help pay off Utd's staggering debts, after all. Still, there's always Nani and Anderson, eh?

By Sam Crow.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:25 AM.

It's so funny that a manc fan comes on here every week claiming his is a lifelong liverpool fool only to constantly bash Benitez,It's so obvious your a manc in disguise lol what age are you?nyway what's even funnier is united fans are now saying that owen will be a great signing but when owen was being linked with a move back to liverpool they were all laughing about it ffs.Fergie is cracking up,Happy the mans didnt get Benzema,that boy is class

By alasatra.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:14 AM.

when he was 18 pace to burn never in the same class as fowler touch and left foot never been great made to look good by long ball game under gerard houllier with hesky doing all his work look at how much better england look with out him.
how many games would he play for liverpool with torres up front 29 way past his best good look to owen but look forward not back best signing of the year go's to rafa by a mile welcome home king kenny in
rafa we trust

By kurt.. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:03 AM.

I simply don't believe this article..I think Owen simply wants a easy way out and up. As i believe he wants to play for Liverpool again, but i think he do not care about the feelings of Anfield fans who adores him even after he left. He just want money and honours rather than pride of playing for the club that made him a star.

By Axon.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:55 AM.

so utd are second choice for a crock, does not bode well for the relationship between owen and the utd fans or with fergie.

By keogh.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:46 AM.

Owen joined United, and they are coming to Malaysia for pre-season tour!!!
hope my national team got him injured and will lying for treatment for all season. i will laugh on this....

By Ming.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:17 AM.

I still think he will get injuerd loads

Horses or football Micheal would pick horses

By Dan0.. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:13 AM.

in rafa we trust HA WHAT A JOKE. im a avid liverpool supporter i will always support the club and players.sorry i cant support our manager anylonger. i get the feeling fergie has got 1 up on you already rafa signing owen and still 6wks to go before kickoff. liverpool lost the title thanks to your team selection FACT!lets look at owen get him for free proven goal scorer played internationals an owen coming off the bench would be invaluable.managers must shake with fear when rafa brings on n nog bable to name afew. buying players is not your strongest suit rafa lets see bellamy 1season keane halfseason vorrin loaned halfseaon crouch 2seasons krongkamp halfseason nunez 1season geremi 1season pennant 2seasons sissoko 2seasons dossena ?deagan? liverpool are a joke with this clown in charge kenny forget the acad the first team needs you

By nick.. Posted July 5 2009 at 6:46 AM.

it sad to see owen got to utd, he was liverpool all the way. i still think he has alot to offer and will show that now at man u. for me i'm gutted i really wish he had come back to the pool, and feel he would have if rafa had asked. sad day for us i hope he doesn't come back and haunt us. the question is how would he react if he scores against liverpool? sad times in my view, many may disagree but he was Mr liverpool like Fowler. but i hope he plays for England again he is a top Pro and worth every penny. good luck mate, i wish it was the best red you were playing for, not the mancs!!!

By JASON.. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:42 AM.

shut up and 4get owen he is a proper red now a manc and his 20 goals a season will prove the jock right again its nice 2 get a freebie.i hope united beat pool 1.0 and who gets off his sick bed a MR MICHEAL OWEN AND SCORES THE ONLY GOAL very nice yah YAH HA HA you will see a lot of MANC MICHAEL this year 3 CHEERS 4 MANC MICHAEL bye 4 now my liverpool friends HIP HIP HOORAY

By patsy.. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:53 AM.

Owen reminds me of a flogged racehorse!!...overweight, slow, and his finishing is now so bad, he would struggle even in the championship!!

By jack arnold.. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:33 AM.

as a lfc fan it would have been good business to get him considering we only have torres up front and limited money.if its true he tried to come back l wish him the best but hope mufc win nothing.

By shahid.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:30 AM.

Joe, do you really think this is the biggest deal of the summer and that Owen deserves this?? No way, he's so far past his best - that's what is laughable. I actually felt sorry for him last year because he was so hopeless.. I'd rather take Oba Martins from Newcastle BY FAR..

He will spend more time at the race track or injured than he will on the pitch. Let the scummers take him..

In Rafa we trust!

By MB LFC.. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:26 AM.

The snyde and anger towards Owen, and for that matter, Man Utd is laughable to say the least. I hate Fergie. I hate Man Utd. But you gotta hand it to him and them. They sneaked in when no-one else was looking and stole the biggest deal of the summer. Regardless of what people are saying, the truth is they are all mad innside that Owen went where he did. This will prove to be the bargain of the transfer season by a country mile. Good luck Michael. You deserve this. I just wish you'd gone elsewhere.

By Joe.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:45 AM.

if he was as good as u say he would have been snaped up before he came free!!!!!!!!!!!!

By padraig casey.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:48 AM.

funny thing is if owen helps man u get there 19th title over liverpool and everyone who has back stabbed everything he has done for liverpool in the past by puttin the bloke down will have egg on their faces and man u will be singing yet again at the end of the season and i hope neville lets owen lift the premiership up 1st ha ha plus ok man u have let ronaldo go and tevez go but seriously who have liverpool got on the wings at ronaldo standards no1 so yeah we got valencia but he prob still is better then what liverpool have on the wing and we have berbatov rooney and now owen liverpool have just torres up front, yeah liverpool fans keep chatting like you did last season. UNITED UNITED UNITED

By k jones.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:47 AM.

I wud of liked to see him back at lfc, nevertheless he shud of never went man u, but for his england career its probably the best place for him. Its now or never owen and if you cant stay fit god help u. I think Benitez is right not to take him back he didnt believe in rafa when he left and now that hes struggling he wanted to come back like nothing happened. Rafa's right to snub him I think we can do just as good or better without him. Rafa wont be worried if he has a good or bad spell at utd because he is just focusing on what lfc need right now and its not Robbie keane or Owen.

Kraner, LFC Fan

By Kraner.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:19 AM.

what do liverpool fans have to have "back spasms" about? the only team to finish above us last season has lost ronaldo and tevez and replaced them with valencia and owen. i can't stop laughing!!!!

By TONY SOPRANO.. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:01 AM.

well i'ma lfc supporter and he the enemy has a great deal make no mistake! owen did want to come back but being stuborn can effect the effort to win. so please raffa title only!!!

By robin .. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:55 PM.

I am lost as to why you go on so much about Liverpool fans being hurt by this deal. As far as I and many Kopites are concerned Utd are welcome to him! He may get a few goals throughout the season....but he's no Torres. Even Owen in his prime wouldn't be a patch on Torres.

Now jog on Utd and enjoy watching a has-been while we bask in Torres and Gerrard's brilliance every week!

By Jay.. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:53 PM.

Fergy has done a master stroke here, i hated Owen as a liverpool player, but I will respect him for putting on a Utd Red shirt so long as he delivers and tries his best. This is reminiscent of the Ince saga, but at the end of the day its not about liverpool v utd anymore, the bigger picture is to win silverware, money talks and bull$$$$ walks fullstop. With the emergence of City for next season, the top 4 places will be at a premium, so it doesnt matter what players you get in.. Tevez will go to City, Ronaldo is history now so we all move on. but i do feel utd may plunge into the market once more, i'm not sure on what players are left now they have all become mercenaries and gone to Real Madrid... theres only one transfer that still annoys me today is the Ruud Van deal, I would love to see him back in a UTD shirt...... should be a quality season next year, my prodictions 1st, Man UTD 2nd, Chelsea 3rd, Man City, 4th Arsenal.......................................

By Paulie ( MAN UTD Fan ).. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:50 PM.

he's done nothing for years, a permacrock, why would liverpool want him? no room for sentimentality. Man U have a player who is desperate to get back into the england squad, he's wasted every other chance he had.

By stephen .. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:31 PM.

Owen is one little backstabbing, snidey, turncoat. He has crossed a line that should never be crossed. All his success, goals, status and credability has been thrown out the window for good. I for one hope he regrets this decision as much as his chronic decisions to join Madrid & Newcastle; furthermore I hope that his career continues to freefall.

By Baz.. Posted July 4 2009 at 10:55 PM.

His Hamstrings mean he has no Pace!....Owen!,Owen!....He wants to play for Bacon Face!....Owen!,Owen!....He left the Reds for sunny Spain and barely even played a game....Michael Owen....He's got a Massive Head...

to the tune of the torres song

By chris o reilly .. Posted July 4 2009 at 10:55 PM.

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