Michael Owen is one of the great goal scorers of his generation, his lethal pace and clinical finishing saw him become one of the great strikers of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.
Owen scored over 100 goals for Liverpool and won the Ballon D’or Award in 2001. Owen also won back to back Golden Boot Award’s as the Premier League’s leading goal scorer in 1998 and 1999.
Real Madrid signed Owen in 2005, but when the striker later signed for Newcastle United, it was tantamount to a semi-retirement in the eyes of many fans.
It was thought that the lack of Champions League football would hurt Owen, and his England career would peter out and come to an end. That is exactly how things turned out, but Owen had one surprise move left in him.
In the summer of 2009 Owen signed for Manchester United to the surprise of many. Rather than hurting Liverpool fans, it barely raised a mention among many fans as most perceived Owen as “past it” and predicted a short and pointless Old Trafford career for the striker.
Owen has shown work rate and humility and has been a valuable part of United’s success. In addition he has used his veteran savvy off the field, as he did to score the winning goal against Manchester City during his first season.
Towards the end of last season, Owen used twitter to tell fans he felt a “big goal coming from me this season.” By the time Owen did score against Blackpool the title had been wrapped up. Though his goal was not big, the tweet revealed a desire to contribute rather than collect his pay check and slide towards the retirement in the Old Trafford reserves.
Last night Owen served further notice he has plenty of gas left in the tank, as he scored two quality goals to help the Red Devils beat Leeds United 3-0 and advance into the Carling Cup Fourth Round.
“I’m still only 31 and have a good few years left in me yet,” Owen told BBC Sport in an interview after the Leeds game.
While he no longer has the legs to play game in and game out, Owen certainly has the ability and mindset to be effective. Indeed, the clinical forward has scored 11 goals in the 12 games he has started since October 2009.
Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his support of Owen when speaking to BBC Sport after the Carling Cup win. “His goal ratio is unbelievable. We are very pleased with him,” said Ferguson. “He is not getting the games he deserves and that is unfortunate.”
If he keeps scoring at his current rate, that scenario could well change for the better.
Real Madrid signed Owen in 2005, but when the striker later signed for Newcastle United, it was tantamount to a semi-retirement in the eyes of many fans.
It was thought that the lack of Champions League football would hurt Owen, and his England career would peter out and come to an end. That is exactly how things turned out, but Owen had one surprise move left in him.
In the summer of 2009 Owen signed for Manchester United to the surprise of many. Rather than hurting Liverpool fans, it barely raised a mention among many fans as most perceived Owen as “past it” and predicted a short and pointless Old Trafford career for the striker.
Owen has shown work rate and humility and has been a valuable part of United’s success. In addition he has used his veteran savvy off the field, as he did to score the winning goal against Manchester City during his first season.
Towards the end of last season, Owen used twitter to tell fans he felt a “big goal coming from me this season.” By the time Owen did score against Blackpool the title had been wrapped up. Though his goal was not big, the tweet revealed a desire to contribute rather than collect his pay check and slide towards the retirement in the Old Trafford reserves.
Last night Owen served further notice he has plenty of gas left in the tank, as he scored two quality goals to help the Red Devils beat Leeds United 3-0 and advance into the Carling Cup Fourth Round.
“I’m still only 31 and have a good few years left in me yet,” Owen told BBC Sport in an interview after the Leeds game.
While he no longer has the legs to play game in and game out, Owen certainly has the ability and mindset to be effective. Indeed, the clinical forward has scored 11 goals in the 12 games he has started since October 2009.
Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his support of Owen when speaking to BBC Sport after the Carling Cup win. “His goal ratio is unbelievable. We are very pleased with him,” said Ferguson. “He is not getting the games he deserves and that is unfortunate.”
If he keeps scoring at his current rate, that scenario could well change for the better.
