We'll Let You Know

Not too much around today, Michael Owen the centre of attention again, this time Ryan Giggs has his say on the striker:

"I don't think there was any real scepticism among the players about his arrival. The manager explained that he provides something we haven't got," said Giggs. "Kiko [Federico Macheda] is probably the most like Michael in the sense that he is an out-and-out goalscorer but he is still very young. Wayne and Dimitar Berbatov do things outside the box.

"Michael is a pure predator and that is something we have not really had since Ruud left. Before that we had Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but our chances-to-conversion rate was not so good last season and Michael should improve that. He is a poacher who scores all types of goals. They all come from inside the box – that's where he does his work and that is where he comes alive."

A lot of the papers concentrate more on Giggs' comments about Owen and England:

"I'm sure if he's playing and scoring for United, then the rest will come," said Giggs. "Sir Bobby's England record has proved difficult for anyone to overhaul.

"It's stood for a long time now. But looking at Michael's ratio of goals and games for England, you'd have to say if he plays another 15 internationals he'll probably overtake it."

The opening to this Times article on his comments is strange given the amount of column inches that had already been devoted to Owen and England before Owen had even kicked a ball for us:

Whisper it, for fear of inviting ridicule, but there is a growing feeling that Michael Owen may yet have much to offer the England team.

If the evidence is flimsy and predictably emanates from within Manchester United, the source is impeccable. Ryan Giggs, the United winger, has been around the block so many times that he must live in a state of perpetual dizziness. However, it is that longevity and experience that make him perfectly placed to judge the merits of the striker who just a few weeks ago was being written off at club level, never mind England.

Owen, 29, has forsaken the chaos of St James' Park for the comparative calm of Old Trafford and, for the moment, is flourishing. Revitalised and injury-free, there is much to admire about his renaissance.

Given that Russell Kempson, who wrote the piece is, so the byline suggests, following the Man United team on their tour, it seems odd to use the word "predictable" in the sense that he does: if he wanted unpredictable comments about Owen, or comments not emanating from Manchester United, he should perhaps have followed another club on their tour. Or written about something else, something less "predictable."
The Independent, as well as the Giggs comments, also has Bryan Robson commentating on Owen:

"Michael has always been top drawer and he knows what he is doing around the box. For me, this is a great challenge for him because he is now alongside some great players who will create chances for him. It's a great opportunity for him to get back into the England side.

"You have to look beyond the last two years he has had at Newcastle. If Michael Owen is really fit and you rotate the squad like Sir Alex Ferguson does, then that is perfect for Michael. You know that if he plays, his record suggests he will score one in two. I look beyond that. I think Michael will do really well with Manchester United but I also think he will succeed in the World Cup finals. You have to remember that five years ago everyone was raving about the combination of Wayne Rooney and Owen.

"Newcastle did not suit Michael's game. He had to keep coming back to the halfway line to find the ball but Manchester United will tend to have more possession than most teams they play against. They will be on the front foot and Michael will be in areas where he thrives, where he can lose defenders with his timing and intelligence. It could be a great move."

One other story today - Mourinho again asked about taking over from Sir Alex, again diplomatic:

"I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson," he said. "If they do, then of course.

"I like England, where the fans are very passionate and make the game a beautiful occasion with such an incredible atmosphere."

The desperation of the papers to make a story where there is none, is typified in The Telegraph, who precede that answer to a question with this:

United chief executive David Gill knows finding a suitable alternative will be the single most difficult task he will face given the success Ferguson has enjoyed with the Old Trafford outfit, and now Mourinho, currently manager of Italian champions Inter Milan, has issued a 'come and get me' plea.

Is that really a "'come and get me' plea?" I don't think so...