MICHAEL OWEN LOVING LIFE AT OLD TRAFFORD

Red Devils forward rates City strike

OWEN: With Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson

By Jeremy Butler, 21/11/2009

MICHAEL OWEN ranks his late winner against Manchester City in September alongside his breakthrough World Cup strike in 1998 as his biggest thrill in football.

The striker struck in injury time to give Manchester United a 4-3 win in September.

And he treasures the goal just as much as the magnificent effort against Argentina that announced him on the world stage.

He said: "Scoring the derby winner was really special.

"When I retire and I'm thinking about my top five or six thrills I got out of football, I'll think about my goal against Argentina and scoring two in an FA Cup final (against Arsenal in 2001).

"But scoring that goal against City is right up there."

Owen is not bothered despite not finding the net regularly so far for United.

He added: "I'm happy with my contribution in a United shirt. In my own mind I never doubted I'd score goals if I stayed fit and was given time on the pitch.

"How can you fail to score goals in a team like this? You're playing with such good players that it's impossible not to get chances.

"In Madrid it was a similar story. I didn't start every game but I ended up with the best goals-to-minute ratio in the league.

"You can twist stats any way you want but a goal every one and half games sounds good. All I am now concerned about is scoring as many goals as I can.''

Steamroller

Owen is unconcerned about the fact United are trailing Chelsea in the hunt for the title having lost to the Londoners and Liverpool this season.

He is convinced there is plenty of time for Sir Alex Ferguson's men to steamroller their way to a fourth successive crown.

He explained: "As an outsider for many years, the image I have of United is of a team that only hits the top gear at Christmas.

"We're looking to do that again.

"I remember a lot of unbeaten runs in the latter part of seasons and, looking at our fixtures, we are aiming to embark on one of those now.

"We've got a good chance as we don't play any of the big teams again until the end of January. So there is definitely no need to panic.''

And even though Owen may spend a lot of time between now and January warming the bench he is happier in that role than he was struggling for form during his relegation season at Newcastle last term.

He added: "I've played in a team that was struggling and I much prefer like at a winning club, even if it means I don't play every minute of every game.

"I'm here at a club that's full of quality, training with top players every day and working under a top manager.

"I've had my fair share of starts and minutes on the pitch this season so I'm not about to complain."

Your comments

This article has 5 comments

daaamn james ive never seen a sentence that long!

By moe green.. Posted November 22 2009 at 3:57 PM.

too old, too slow and hasn't been good enough for 4 years. Cappello has him sussed and doesn't fall for the media tosh that he's still a great player. Fergies no mug either if he was good enough he would be playing. He isn't playing is he !

By Adrian.. Posted November 22 2009 at 10:23 AM.

Bacon face plucked him from the scrapheap, no other manager would take a chance on crock Owen.
He has done well in his cameo roll, he knows his best is well behind him, but in a good side he will score the odd goal.

By bilbo.. Posted November 22 2009 at 9:40 AM.

i am a newcastle fan...i am glad he went to man u..he was only at newcastle for a pay packet,,always walking about in a sulk,,never give 50% never mind a 100%...and now look what he says...i dont mind sitting on the bench..some professional he is..hes only probably there to talk horses with fergie!!

By james.. Posted November 22 2009 at 7:43 AM.

good grief whats owen happy with he has been twiddling his thumbs sat on the bench all season getting the odd start and ten minutes if he is lucky to come off the bench at his age he needed regular games so that he could stake a claim for a world cup slot in south africa seems like he has retired and is happy to settle for a final pay day at old trafford and wanting to add the man city goal in the derby as his best collection of goals dear me you should be focused on getting a starting place and winning trophies!

By tony,kent.. Posted November 22 2009 at 4:36 AM.

We have to check every comment before we can allow it to be published. But don't worry, we've got a team on it 24/7 - so check back soon! Please note that we cannot publish all comments received. The editor's decision is final. Please note that your email address will not be displayed next to your comment.