Even while Owen was in negotiations with Manchester United, efforts were made on his behalf to force an Anfield intervention. ...Which if true doesn't exactly reflect well on Owen as far as I'm concerned, and considering his transfer is already being greeted with, to put it mildly, a certain begrudging acceptance, its not the type of thing destined to change that opinion. However, saying that, the report doesn't exactly come wrapped in sources and so could be just an attempt to stir things up. It's also a bit odd that the rest of the article concentrates on how Liverpool fans will view the transfer:Owen had earlier delayed a decision on his future in the forlorn hope his old club would make a move. As the doctors awaited Owen's arrival at Carrington, phone calls were being made in a bid to ignite Liverpool's interest.
Co-owner George Gillett was particularly keen to sign the 29-year-old, having first met Owen in the Colorado clinic where he underwent knee surgery after the 2006 World Cup.
But by Thursday, Sir Alex Ferguson's powers of persuasion had killed Owen's lingering Kop loyalties.
the summer began with Liverpool pursuing a United favourite, Carlos Tevez.If Liverpool's forlorn pursuit of the South American temporarily crept under the skin of the Stretford End, it pales into insignificance to the back spasms felt on The Kop at the sight of Owen now at Old Trafford.
The failure even to acknowledge his Anfield past when unveiled on Friday, or appreciate the despair felt on Merseyside at the sight of him in a United shirt, hurt Liverpool fans even more.
Ferguson has never made football decisions for anything other than football reasons. But he will be cunningly aware of the wider repercussions.
There is an unavoidable sense the North West superpowers are making transfer decisions they hope will come back to haunt each other.
And while many claim Fergie has taken a gamble on Owen, it may also be argued Rafa has taken a punt in ignoring him.
Sceptics suggest Owen will have to accept the billing of a “Tuesday night turn”; that Carling Cups and early rounds of the Champions League will represent his defined casting in the Theatre of Dreams.Like Tevez before him, Owen will not be content with mere bench-warming. Even as a £30,000-a-week bargain he will not dutifully accept a role of “impact” striker. His pride would not allow it and he believes that with England’s current forward power including Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Carlton Cole, he can still be part of Fabio Capello’s plans for South Africa. “If I am fit and playing well then I have got a better chance of getting back into the England squad,” he said yesterday. “If I play well then I’d like to think I can force my way back in. I have 89 caps and it would be great to add to that. There is a burning desire to do well for whatever team I play for.”...
While Owen will welcome being released from the demands of being regarded as a figure of potential salvation, the onus on him to contribute to the cause at Old Trafford will, if anything, be even heavier, but he will be confident that he has the talent to deliver.
Hopefully the difference between Tevez and Owen will be that Owen will be prepared to accept that he has to prove himself better than a place on the sub bench, rather than demand a place in the starting line-up regardless. The lacklustre greeting of his signing should have told him clearly enough of this need to prove himself, and hopefully his joining us is a sign that he is up for the challenge.
Glenn Hoddle reckons he'll be a success:
“It is a superb bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson. I’m convinced it could be the shrewdest signing of the summer. If Michael can stay relatively fit and be involved in 30 or so games, he can be better for United in front of goal than Tevez. The way United play will suit Michael down to the ground.”
“Possession football and a lot of chances, it couldn’t be better for him.
“At United he won’t be the focal point of the team. He will have the likes of Rooney, Berbatov and Valencia around him. They are match-winners as well. He will thrive at United.”
And Graeme Souness concurs:
"Michael could be about to enter the best period of his career. He will be playing for the best team he has ever played for; that's bad news for my old club, Liverpool, and I'm a bit disappointed that they didn't want him back, but then again everyone sees things differently.
"I think Michael is an extremely dangerous animal; he's been criticised by almost everyone recently and, with that in mind, Old Trafford will be the perfect environment for him to thrive in."
The motivation to succeed will be intense. Owen is fiercely proud and the criticism of recent years, including his exile for the national side, have made him defensive. In this regard the move is perfect for him: an elite platform to play on, with an incentivised deal – basic wages as low as £30,000 per week, according to some reports – to prove that he is playing for silver not lucre.The Mirror goes with some quotes from the infamous brochure on Owen's fitness. The Mirror think that the quotes from the sales brochure somehow tell us more than our own medical did:
Manchester United have been assured that Michael Owen will not present them with any long-term medical problems.
Physio John Green revealed in the brochure recently sent to clubs by Owen's advisers: "Michael has no arthritic changes, common in footballers, in his knees or ankles.
"Michael is no longer susceptible to muscle injury.
"Michael should have a specific programme designed to maintain and enhance his speed, agility and acceleration."
Other news. The News of the World say that Eto'o would be prepared to play for us:
The Barcelona striker has been haggling over a move to Manchester City for nearly six weeks and has asked for £200,000 a week to quit the Nou Camp.
He also wants a £12million slice of the £25m transfer fee, which has prevented the deal from going through as the European champions stand firm.
But the Cameroon international would waive such a lump sum if Sir Alex Ferguson came in for him. Fergie could still be in for a striker - despite the capture of Michael Owen - and only a club of United's stature will prise Eto'o away from Spain.
He would accept a cut-price £150,000-a-week deal that would still make him the top earner at Old Trafford instead of the possibility of mid-table football at Eastlands.
One source close to the player said: "Samuel has not been convinced by a move to a mid-table side in the Premier League and neither will he sign a new deal at Barca."
Empoli youngster Alberto Massacci claims he has signed for Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United.
The 16-year-old right-back has never figured in the first-team squad of the Serie B side but impressed United's scouts during an international youth team event last year, where he was voted player of the tournament.Reports suggest Massacci has already spent three days in Manchester, having a medical, and is set to fly back on Sunday to sign on the dotted line, and the teenager admits he has been left somewhat stunned by it all.
"When they called me, I really couldn't believe it," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I didn't believe that it was really him (Sir Alex Ferguson) on the phone.
"But it was him, and I had an hour-long chat with him, in English. He seemed to me a modest, simple, incredible person.
"Nobody, not him, nor the whole atmosphere, made the pressure of who they are and what they represent in footballing history weigh on my shoulders."
He added: "In life a chance like this only comes past you once, and you've got to grab it with both hands.
"Even if at 16 years old it isn't an easy decision, you have to leave your home, family and friends.
"But I don't want to have regrets."
The Portuguese international, 22, is concerned about speculation he could be surplus to requirements.
And he will sit down with Fergie during preseason training to find out exactly where he stands.
A United source said: "Nani believes his chance has come following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the rumours just won't go away and he is looking for answers."
Sport of the World understands Sir Alex still thinks Nani will come good but will not stand in his way if he is unhappy.
Scholes, 34, is no longer a regular choice at United and Moyes hopes Sir Alex Ferguson will consider releasing him.
The worry for Everton, though, is that the United boss suggests a deal which takes Goodison midfielder Jack Rodwell, 19, to Old Trafford.
England Under-21s international Rodwell, who could eventually develop into a central defender, is one of the most coveted young players in the country.
Scholes is a one-club man but admits his career is drawing to a close and he has also been linked with Stoke and Bolton this summer.
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