Ferguson plays Russian Roulette with Former Liverpool Legend

When Michael Owen signed for the Manchester United, one thing that was for certain was that his acquisition would divide opinion. What remains to be seen is whether Alex Ferguson has grabbed himself a goal machine or whether Manchester United will need to employ further enforcements to join Rob Squires team in the physio rooms at Carrington and Old Trafford.

Looking into the former England strikers scoring record, his goals to games ratio is second to none. He has scored 204 goals in 418 competitive games at the top level, a ratio

of almost one goal in every two games. When comparing this record with other established strikers, it is evident that Owen is up there with the best. It is better than England legend Alan Shearer, the man who dropped Owen in Newcastle’s fateful final season in the top flight. He’s also a more prolific goal scorer than Liverpool hero Fernando Torres and Madrid’s captain, and three time Champions League winner, Raul Gonzalez.

So, if we can agree that his goal scoring prowess is not under scrutiny, then it must be Owens excessive list of injuries that have caused many to doubt the Champions’ latest signing. A glimpse at the sheer number of injuries, strains and breaks is enough to make United followers eyes water. Since 31st December 2005, whilst at Newcastle United, Michael Owen has been declared as injured on at least eight occasions with different injuries of varying severity including cruciate ligament damage, a torn abductor muscle and a broken metatarsal. He also suffered injury woes at Liverpool, where he was revered as a Kop idol. In seasons 98-99 and 99-2000 he was often absent from the Liverpool team with recurring hamstring problems.

Surely, Alex Ferguson must be taking a huge gamble on signing Owen considering that there is no guarantee that he will be able to play regularly for Manchester United. This can be considered an even bigger risk given that United has sold their most consistent performer in Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who is not only (arguably) the best player in the world, but is also (nearly) always at the peak of his fitness. There is a common theme, however, between Owen’s stints at Liverpool & Newcastle which will fill the Manchester United boss with confidence - he was the main man at both clubs, almost always guaranteed a place in the starting eleven, even when he was not 100% fit. Ferguson himself commented on this when referring to Owen’s early career. He remembered John Curtis and Ronnie Wallwork returning from a tournament with the England Youth Team one pre-season. On their return, they were given a six week recovery period, whilst Owen was thrown straight into the Liverpool first team. Ferguson commented that he remembered “saying at the time it was unfair to have that strain and intensity of matches at big tournaments, one summer after another, with no summer break.”

Maybe Ferguson has a point, Michael Owen has simply been overplayed by two English clubs over-reliant on his talent. Owen’s term at Real Madrid supports this theory. Despite being left on the bench for most of his sole season in Spain, he scored more goals per minutes played than at either Liverpool or Newcastle and remained fit all season. Ferguson appears to be adopting this approach in an aim to reform Michael Owen, the former PFA Young Player of the Year and Ballon D’Or winner. He is quoted as saying “I won't ask him to play every four days, I might ask him to play every 10 days. We can do it because I always rotate my squad”. On this basis, Manchester United may be able to reform Michael Owen to his previous form, but, in resting him between games and using him sparingly, they may be able to prolong his effectiveness, rather than destroying a doubtless talent that has wavered far to often through injury.

IF, and it is a big if, Fergusons plan revitalises Owen, it could see Manchester United overtake Liverpool as the most successful club in domestic competitions. The fact that he may do this with a former Liverpool icon in tow is something , I’m sure, that is not lost on Ferguson. Also, Michael Owen could realise his ultimate goal, to return for England in the last chance saloon, in a role he has feared he my never fill again.