Sir Alex Ferguson sprung a major surprise by offering a new one year deal to veteran art-poacher Michael Owen. With Javier Hernandez’s unprecedented rise in his debut season and the impending returns of Danny Welbeck and Kiko Macheda from loaned moves, Owen seemed destined to be out of Old Trafford following the expiry of his current contract at the end of the season.
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However Sir Alex had other ideas and here’s what he had to say,
“Michael has proved to be a top footballer. It’s unfortunate Michael didn’t get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable. I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season.”
Although Owen was nowhere close to a regular in his two years at Old Trafford, he still has to his credit a hattrick in the Champions League (2009-10) season against Wolfsburg and a goal in the Carling Cup final which helped Manchester United bag the league cup for the second year in succession. Michael Owen’s last goal for the Red Devils came against Blackpool on the last day of the season, moments before he would receive his first premier league medal. Among his brief cameos, the one that elevated him from a former Kop hero to the toast of the Old Trafford faithful was when he struck a 96th minute winner against Manchester City to clinch a pulsating premier league tie 4-3 in favour of the Reds.
Sir Alex: Another master-stroke or a gamble?
Sir Alex has previously gone on record praising the former European Player of the Years’s professionalism in training, but that would result in another year at Old Trafford was a far cry for many. Sir Alex probably believes his experience of the English game could benefit some of his younger strikers and it darkens the clouds that loom large over the future of Dimitar Berbatov. He may have shared the Golden Boot, but his lethargic approach hasn’t won him too many admirers, so much so that he failed to make the bench in the Champions League Final against Barcelona. It seems highly probable that he may be off-loaded should an opportune offer come along.
Owen, who had always maintained his desire to stay on was ecstatic and summed his feelings,
“I’m delighted to have agreed a one-year extension to my contract. To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration. I can’t wait for next season to start.”
