Why United Micky?
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- Posted by pst at 6:29 PM IST
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- Filed under Transfers
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- Tagged with 2001 FA Cup Final, Antonio Nunez, Emile Heskey, Gerald Houllier, Ian Rush, Ian St.John, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Rafa Benitez, Robbie Fowler, Roger Hunt, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Steve McManaman, Steven Gerrard
So Micky Owen completes his move to Manchester United, upsetting a great deal of Liverpool fans, including myself. No-one forgets what Owen did for the club (he won the 2001 FA Cup final on his own, well at least with a little help from goalkeeper Stephane Henchoz!) and I don’t think anyone would have minded him signing for anyone else but United?
He left a sour taste in a lot of Liverpool fans mouths when he strung Rafa along with his contract negotiations, eventually leaving for £8m and Antonio Nunez. This was a fraction of his true worth and Nunez was soon rumoured to have been a program seller at the Bernabeu, so bad was his touch and control (sorry, European Cup winner Antonio Nunez – some of the players who got medals that night!).
At the time, he came out slightly better as his situation was compared to that of Steve McManaman, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid for nothing – over time this position has hardened, I think he thought that he was leaving the club as he thought they wouldn’t achieve anything under Benitez. Owen was probably the first name on the team sheet under Gerald Houllier and Benitez would not have guaranteed that. Houllier had Liverpool set up to accommodate Owen – Emile Heskey up front and long balls from the likes of Sami Hyypia pumped up for Heskey to bring down and Owen to run on to. Benitez has a totally different ethic, believing always in team first, players second (for example, his substitution of Steven Gerrard in the derby in 2007 or his removal of Peter Crouch from the club, allegedly down to Rafa’s dislike of Crouch’s off-field lifestyle).
Ironically he left Liverpool to pursue winners medals and the year he left Liverpool won the Champions League. The next season he’s back in England with Newcastle, citing the upcoming World Cup and his desire to play more football to be pushing for a guaranteed England place as his reasons. This is the main reason that Owen never reached legend status at Liverpool – he always seemed more preoccupied with his England career than his club career. Owen scored goals at similar rates to Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush, but is never mentioned in the same revered tones as these and other club legends such as Ian St.John or Roger Hunt.
His time at Newcastle can hardly be considered a success, although he did manage to keep up his goal average (58 league appearances gave 26 goals – an impressive statistic until you consider that this was spread out over 4 seasons) and he now finds himself at another club, the season before a World Cup, determined to prove himself.
Is it a good move for United? A pay-as-you-play deal seems to suggest some bet hedging but as a third choice striker, he’s not a bad option to have if and it’s a whopping great big IF, he can keep himself fit. Coming back around to my original point – I would have wished Michael well at anywhere, absolutely anywhere, apart from United. He was linked to a move with Everton or Villa, where he would have been a first choice striker week in week out and really would have pushed for a place in the England side. I can’t see him making that big an impact at United – maybe he’ll prove me wrong but I think that Owen has spoiled any last remaning chance of being welcomed back to Anfield like other returning heroes like Luis Garcia or Vlad Smicer – he probably couldn’t care less but it strikes me as a shame.
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3 Comments
Comment by Lord Luis Garcia
I couldn’t agree more. As much as I appriciate what Owen did for us while he was one of our players, I’ve always seen him as “ENGLANDS” Michael Owen rather than the club he played for.
Also he is not a good an all-round footballer as a Fowler, Shearer, Sheringham, once his pace had gone, he’d have to re-develop the way he played, and I personally think it’s too late for him now.
Comment by Bobby Pires
I agree with Lord Luis when he says that Owen is not an all-round footballer. But if he still has enough pace and can stay fit, i think he will do the job for united…
One thing for sure is that he will no doubt have alot of service, even an average striker playing at united will net a sh1t load….like…um lets just say Andy (i need 6 chances to score) Cole… and Owens a much better finisher.
Im just not sure if his constant injuries will do him in, as it has done at other clubs, maybe he will be payed differently….i presume thats why Lord Fergie has put the lad on a payasyou tariff…
Much Love x
Comment by Bobby Pires
**maybe he will be PLAYED differently