Showing posts with label Owen. Show all posts

Another Setback For Owen

Manchester United's Michael Owen celebrates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, northern England, September 26, 2010. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has suffered another setback after it's been revealed that he will be out for another 2-3 weeks. Owen was expected to return from injury against Wolves last night but tore his hamstring  in training prior to the game.

Owen has been quoted as saying: "I had a tight groin quite a while ago and then I trained for a week in preparing for last night's game, but had a setback in training with a different muscle injury, so unfortunately that ruled me out for last night and is going to rule me out for a few weeks as well."

Owen has played seven times for United this season, scoring three goals, two in the League Cup against Scunthorpe, which Man United won 5-2. The other came in the League, in the 2-2 away to Bolton.

Owen has not played since the 0-0 draw against Sunderland in the Premier League at the beginning of October.

A Tale Of Two Owens

Sports News - February 28, 2010
There has been mixed injury news for Man United today, yet again. It was confirmed today that the hamstring injury Michael Owen picked up in the League Cup win against Aston Villa will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

The other news we had today was that Owen Hargreaves could return for Man United in a matter of days, which is superb news considering how long he has been out.

Since joining United in the summer Michael Owen has made 31 appearances for United, it may sound like a lot but 20 of those have been as a substitute.

Not only is it a shame that Owen has picked this injury up at a crucial stage of the season for Man United but he will now definitely be out of the World Cup squad, he may not have been high up on the list, but there was still a slight chance he could go.

"It's a bad blow for Michael and he's out for the season," Sir Alex Ferguson said "It was more serious than we thought and he'll have an operation on Monday. It’s a terrible blow for the lad and disappointing for us, too. He never missed a training session all season. The heavy pitch at Wembley played some part, but it’s also bad luck."

Owen has said: “I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments"
“I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition.”


Sports - December 03, 2007Hargreaves hasn’t played for Man United since September 2008 but as we lose one Owen for the rest of the season, another one could return.

Hargreaves could play for United’s reserve team against Manchester City’s reserves this Thursday.

"He has shown for the first time that he is almost ready to play again," Sir Alex said.

"He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday."

It would be great to see Hargreaves back again, it is probably too late for him to get into the England squad but just to see him playing again would be fantastic.

Both Owens are injury prone, hopefully we can get both of them back to full fitness and they can stay like that.

Fabio Capello Talks Wayne Rooney And Michael Owen

Football - Manchester United v Hull City Barclays Premier League
Both Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen scored for Man United against West Ham on Tuesday night. We are getting used to seeing Rooney score but after Owen stuck the ball into the back of the net, there have been calls for Owen to be named in the England World Cup squad.

England manager Fabio Capello has been speaking about both of the United men, one of which should definitely be going to the World Cup, the other one is a long shot.

Capello on Rooney:

"Wayne is an extraordinary player, he is talented and willing to learn," Capello told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "[Sir Alex] Ferguson has taught him so much while I've only had to polish him.
"I have told him that he must make sure he plays inside the box and he must continue to score goals. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United has given Rooney more responsibility and he is now integral to their plans."

Capello on Owen:

"One of the players (the fans) would like to see me select is Owen"  
"He is one of the best English goalscorers of all-time but if he doesn't play, I cannot pick him."

Rooney is a certainty for me to go but I have to agree with Capello on the Owen situation. Owen hasn’t been playing much for United, I would have liked to see more of him but Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t going to stick him in the team for England’s sake.

Feng Shui To Save Michael Owen?

4TH ASHES TEST MATCH,NPOWER TEST SERIES 2009
Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott believes that Man United striker Michael Owen should try feng shui to help him find some form. Boycott is a Man United fan and he believes that this treatment could take Owen to the World Cup this year.

What is feng shui?

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system, using the laws of both heaven and earth to improve someone’s life. According to wikipedia, traditional feng shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or luo pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.

I don’t really know that much about feng shui but to try and put it as simply as I can- feng shui is basically an ancient art of placement. The tradition will tell you where to place your household objects, where they will bring the best positive vibe.

Back to Owen, I don’t know if this will work but I suppose it is worth a try. You have got to feel sorry for Owen, he scored a hatrick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League and he still struggles to get into the Man United team.

"I wrote to Michael Owen a while back to say, 'look at this and see what you think'," Boycott is quoted in The Guardian as saying.

"I have seen him play and he needs that little spark which maybe this can give him.

"He hasn't replied to my letter yet but if he does I will put him in touch with some experts in feng shui and see where that takes him. During treatment for cancer I got into feng shui.

"I slept in different rooms, facing different ways. They believe that as you sleep you heal. People who don't know anything about it say it is rubbish but it worked for me – I'm alive."

Owen Talks Man United, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea

Man United striker Michael Owen is loving life at Old Trafford and he has said the was always confident he would score goals. Owen hasn’t played in as many games for Man United than I thought he would but he has bagged himself a few goals. The most important was the last minute on in United’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City.

Kempton Races

"In my own mind I never doubted I’d score goals if I stayed fit and was given time on the pitch," Owen told ManUtd.com

"How can you fail to score goals in a team like this? You’re playing with such good players that it’s impossible not to get chances.


"In Madrid it was a similar story – I didn’t start every game but I ended up with the best goals-to-minutes ratio in the league.


"You can twist stats whichever way you want. A goal every one-and-a-half games sounds good, whereas four goals in 16 games isn’t quite so impressive. But they’re both accurate.


"At the end of the day, all I’m concerned about is playing and scoring as many times as I can.


"I’ve played in a team that was struggling and I much prefer life at a winning club, even if that means I don’t play every minute of every game.


"I’m here at a club that’s full of quality, training with top players every day and working under a top manager. I’ve had my fair share of starts and minutes on the pitch this season so I’m not about to complain."

Owen went on to talk about the winning goal he scored for United against City and the defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea.

"That moment was really special," he said. "When I retire and I’m thinking about the top five or six thrills I got out of football I’ll definitely think about my goal in the World Cup against Argentina and scoring two in an FA Cup final.


"But scoring that goal against City is right up there with those moments."


“When we lost at Liverpool it was a different story – we didn’t perform well at Anfield – but at Chelsea there’s no way on Earth we deserved to lose that game," he added.


"We walked away from Stamford Bridge with our heads held high and feeling pretty happy with the way we played. There were plenty of positives to take out of that performance.


"As an outsider for many years, the image I have of Manchester United is of a team that only really hits top gear around Christmas. I remember a lot of unbeaten runs in the latter part of seasons and, looking ahead at our fixtures, we’re aiming to embark on one of those now.


"We’ve got a good opportunity – we don’t play any of the ‘big’ sides again until the end of January – so there’s definitely no need to panic over a five-point gap."

England Squad Announced

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The England squad to play Brazil next Saturday in an International friendly has been announced. The main news for Man United is that Michael Owen has yet again not been included in the squad. This isn’t much of a surprise, he hasn’t played that much for United, so why would he get into the England squad?

Ben Foster, Wes Brown, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney have all been included.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Manchester United), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas (both Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa).

Strikers: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe (both Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Gerrard Doesn't Like Seeing Owen In A United Shirt

Football - Liverpool v Newcastle United Barclays Premier League
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he doesn’t like seeing former team-mate Michael Owen wearing a Man United shirt.

Gerrard told FourFourTwo magazine: "I don't like it. It's weird and doesn't look right.
"I played with him in the red of Liverpool since I was 10, so to see him in the red of United is difficult for me. 

"Obviously it was a chance he needed to take so I wish him well personally - but I do not want United to do well at all."

Owen wants to win a Premier League title and under Man United he has more chance of winning a title. Gerrard would love to win a Premier League title so I am sure he understands that.
I am also sure that Owen won’t be too worried about upsetting Gerrard. He is perfectly entitled to play for United. Saying that, I still find it odd seeing Owen in a Man United shirt.

Villa Sacks Agent

SPAIN V ENGLAND
Spanish football club Valencia have recently admitted that they still have some serious financial problems. Valencia’s star player David Villa has sacked his agent Luis Tamargo, after he failed to secure him a move away from the club.

Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the player. This should put all clubs on high alert. It is now thought that Villa is considering where he wants to move, with the financial state Valencia are in, he could move in January.

The 27-year old may be slightly old for United. Man United have recently stated that they would only be buying younger players.

A couple of Man United fan have said to me that Sir Alex Ferguson did get Michael Owen who is 29. The big difference between Villa and Owen is that United got Owen on a free. Villa would cost a lot of money to buy and his wages would be high aswell.



Owen Here To Stay

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Striker Michael Owen only joined Manchester United the summer just gone (2009), but manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Owen could be at Man United for a long time yet.

Owen signed a two-year contract with Man United but Sir Alex believes that the 29-year old could stay on for longer than that.

"He is only just starting with us,” Sir Alex said.

"He has only been here a few months and I hope the boy is here for a long time."

"I think he is well capable of doing that. He is showing he is a terrific professional, he lives his life the right way and there are no complications with him."

Owen was definitely a surprise signing but if he stays fit and scores goals then I am sure he will stay at Old Trafford for more than two seasons.


Michael Owen Ready For Liverpool Game



Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that United striker (and former Liverpool striker) Michael Owen will be able to handle the boo’s tomorrow.

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Owen joined Liverpool and played for their youth team in 1991. In 2004, Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid, that didn’t quite work out so he joined Newcastle United in 2005. During the summer of 2009, Owen was made a free agent and joined Manchester United.

Owen was a massive player for Liverpool but the fans still aren’t happy with him joining Man United. It is a tad harsh but understandable. United fans weren’t happy with Carlos Tevez joining Man City from Man United but that was different. Owen played for two clubs before joining United.

Ferguson said: "I don't think it will bother Michael. Everyone wants to be liked but he's got the experience to handle it. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction he gets.”

"There have been very few players who have played for both clubs."

"Paul Ince got a bad reception from our fans when he joined Liverpool."

"Michael may well get that again on Sunday but it is difficult to say."

"There is no one better at holding the line in the last third of the field. He is very seldom offside and that is down to his experience."

With Wayne Rooney struggling to be fit, there is a good chance of Owen starting tomorrow’s game and I wouldn’t be surprised if he scored.

Owen: It Is Just A Job

Next Sunday, Man United striker Michael Owen will be returning to his former club Liverpool. Ahead of the game he has said that he would like to think that he would get a good reception but he isn’t expecting it.

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Owen has also said that he look’s out for Real Madrid and Newcastle United’s results but he doesn’t mention Liverpool’s.

With Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen expecting her child sometime this week, there is a chance that United may be without Rooney. He is also currently injured so we may be without him anyway. Owen has been a substitute for quite a few matches this season but he could start on Sunday.

"I'm human," said Owen in The Daily Mirror. "I'd prefer people to sit down and recognise what you did for them and for the team in years gone past but I'm pretty realistic as well.


"Now that I'm playing for their local rivals - I'm not holding my breath, put it that way.


"People talk about loyalty in football, and for a football supporter it's easy to preach about that.


"As a father and a brother and a son there's no-one more loyal than me.


"But when you're a player, you're not a fan. I've got to earn a living, provide for my family.


"I supported Everton as a kid. I never supported Real Madrid, but I played for them. It's a job opportunity, just like anyone else's work.


"The longer you're at a team, if the fans make you feel welcome and the players take to you, then you build an affinity.


"So now obviously I look for Real Madrid results and Newcastle results, but it doesn't make me any less loyal to Manchester United."

Owen Can Still Go To South Africa

Recently Man United striker Michael Owen (it is still odd writing that) has been left out of England squads by manager Fabio Capello. Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Owen does still have a chance of going to the World Cup next summer with England.

Windsor Races

Owen may have been problems with fitness over the past few season’s but he is a guaranteed goal scorer. If England take him to the World Cup, he will score goals and that is what we need. He probably wouldn’t start games but he is a fantastic substitute to have.

I think that Capello will choose him, he is much more likely to score winning goals than some of the strikers who have been chosen recently.


"There may be two or three places up for grabs," Sir Alex Ferguson told a press conference.
"Fabio maybe will have a number up to 25 in his mind. He will then have to eliminate from that to make 23.”

"Michael Owen has a good chance because he is a striker and England don't have a tremendous number of them.”

"The form of Carlton Cole will have encouraged him and Peter Crouch's goals don't do him any harm.”

"Along with Wayne Rooney I think those three will go to South Africa, then it is a fight for one more."

Working with Rooney this season will also improve his chances, especially if they can build up a great partnership with Man United.


Good Injury News For United

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Man United striker Michael Owen suffered a slight groin injury whilst playing against Wolfsburg midweek. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has received some good news, the injury isn’t as bad as first thought.

Owen will not be out for three weeks, which was first expected, he should be fit to play Bolton on October 17th. United’s next match is tomorrow against Sunderland but then there is a break due to International matches so Owen will be fit for the next game.

Fergie said today: "We expect him to be available for the next game, it certainly won't be three weeks. 

"We are quite pleased. Obviously it is understandable we wanted to take precautions given his past history but we are quite comfortable with the situation. 


"He did miss training earlier this week so maybe we should have left him out. But he wanted to play and I wanted him to play. 


"Thankfully it is not a big problem for us."


Good News and Bad News For Owen

Kempton Races

Last night Michael Owen was substituted pretty early on in the game against Wolfsburg. After the game, Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Owen will be out for two to three weeks.

It became fairly obvious during the match the Owen wasn’t quite right and that he has probably picked up a little knock or injury. He was brought off and he has suffered a groin injury.

This is a big blow for Owen, not just because he will be out for United for two-three weeks but England have two matches against Ukraine and Belarus coming up. England have already qualified for the World Cup so there was a good chance that he could have been called up by Fabio Capello.

Sir Alex said after the game: “Michael felt a slight groin injury after training on Sunday.”

“He thought he was fine to play but on a wet surface, when he tried to turn quickly, it came back again. It is not a serious one and I am not worried because players do get them, but he will be out for two to three weeks.”

There has been some fantastic news for Owen this week. It has been confirmed that his wife is pregnant with their fourth child.

Owen has told close friends that he is ‘delighted’ with the news.

A ‘friend’ told The Sun: “Michael and Louise have always been desperate to have a massive family. They are real home birds and their kids are everything to them.”

“Louise is really excited but she’s persuaded Michael not to ask if it is a boy or a girl. She wants it to be a surprise.”

Congratulations to them both.

Carragher States The Obvious

Kempton Races

What is it with footballers and stating the obvious?
Liverpool defender and all round idiot Jamie Carragher has said that former Liverpool striker (now Man United striker) Michael Owen will get a ‘cool reception’ at Anfield.

Man United will play Liverpool at Anfield on the 25th October and the defender believes that Owen may be booed.

"Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception," Carragher told the October edition of Sky Sports Magazine. "That won't bother him though.


"You can understand the fans' point of view. He used to play for us and now he's at our big rivals, so of course there will be some reaction. That's football and Michael will know that.


"At the same time, Michael has got his own career to think about. He wants to get his name back up there, he wants to play Champions League football and get into the World Cup squad.


"The move gives him that opportunity. It will upset some fans but that's football.


"He's a mate of mine so I suppose I have to wish him well – but only to a certain extent."

I am sure that Owen isn’t stupid enough to believe (unlike Carlos Tevez) that he wouldn’t get booed. Owen has come to one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals; of course he will be booed. I am sure the United fans cheers will make up for that.

Owen's England Chances Take A Knock


Michael Owen’s England career has taken a bit of a knock today. Apparently Sir Alex Ferguson has told him that he is back-up.

MANCHESTER UNITED V VALENCIA CFIf Owen wants to get back into the England squad, he will need to be playing regular first team football.

So far this season, Owen has only made one competitive start for Man United and it doesn’t look like that statistic is going to change.

Ferguson said: "Michael Owen has not been involved and I have explained that to him. The season has not really started and, because of the international fixtures, we are not really playing Saturday/Wednesday at the moment. So Owen doesn't come in to the equation because we are trying to get a blend of Berbatov and Rooney.

"He will play plenty of games, but just maybe not in the early stage of the season. Will he start tonight? No, I wouldn't think so, but we may change formation a wee bit.

"You have to respect this competition and we can't afford to not qualify. This is the first game, so we have to pick the right team.

"We can't take chances and we won't take chances. We have to go to Germany for the last game [against Wolfsburg], so we have to make sure we are in a good position. We won't be taking any chances." 

Owen’s move to Man United was a shock but with his age, his recent injuries and other strikers- it’s not really much of a surprise.

I never expected Owen to be one of Man United’s main strikers and I would be surprised if he expected to.

Owen Loving Life At United

Striker Michael Owen has said that he is loving life at Man United. He also can’t understand why any player could be unhappy at Old Trafford.

Some Man United fans are still unsure of the transfer of Owen especially considering he was a Liverpool legend but these words might help, a bit.
MANCHESTER UNITED V VALENCIA CF
I'm loving every minute of it,"
he told Sky Sports News.
"Obviously I'm alongside some of the best players, and the best manager and some cracking staff, so if you're not going to enjoy playing for Manchester United then you'll never enjoy playing football. It's great."

Owen has been left out of the England squad by Fabio Capello but Owen is full of praise for the manager- who has just got England to the World Cup Finals!
"You'd think it's [qualification] going to happen whether it's tonight or in the coming games. The lads have put in some great performances and got us into a position where you'd think we're pretty certain to qualify for the World Cup now, which is fantastic news.

"They're playing well. Very hard to beat, so we're very organised and we've always got a chance with the likes of Wayne Rooney playing, and Steven Gerrard. We've got some world-class players so with the likes of them in your team you're always likely to get a goal or two."

I understand why some fans aren’t happy with the signing of Owen, I did feel the same. The way I see it now is that Fergie believes that Owen can bring something to the team. I feel that you may not like or believe in every Man United player but you have to support them. They are Man United players and I support Man United which means I have to support the players.

I am glad that Owen is enjoying life at Old Trafford, hopefully he will score us some important goals this season.

Man United Won't Win The Premier League

Sports - November 03, 2007
Ahead of tomorrows clash between Man United and Wigan Athletic. The Wigan owner Dave Whelan has said that Man United won’t win the Premier League this season.

United suffered a shock defeat to the hands of Burnley on Wednesday and that has led to quite a few people already writing Manchester United off this season. We are only two matches into a 38-match league.

The Wigan owner has also told everyone his opinions on Man United’s new signing Michael Owen. He claims that he turned down the opportunity to sign Owen in the transfer window but he believes it was a great move by Fergie.

Finally, he spoke about how long he thinks Sir Alex Ferguson will be in charge of Manchester United for.

Here is what Whelan had to say:
"I don't think Manchester United will win the title this year. It's early days but they have got four quality players out and I think there are going to be some surprises.
"You really miss two players like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic like they are just now. You are really going to find it difficult without two guys like that.
"If they are not back we will have a hell of a chance against them - maybe draw or even win.
"Overall I think Liverpool will be close, I think they could win it if I have got to pick one out. It will be the same four as last season, although Tottenham could break in - I like the way they can get stuck in and also play."
"Signing Owen for Manchester United was a masterstroke by Sir Alex Ferguson because I think he will come in and score ten to 15 goals this season. He is brilliant in the box.
"But we could not afford a player to put on for half an hour, we are Wigan Athletic. He will be getting massive wages and it would have been a struggle for us. He would have to play 90 minutes and I don't think he can play 90 minutes week in, week out.
"I tried him. I was happy to take him and then sell him for the same price if he wanted to move in the next window - I would have done that for him because he wanted to play for England.
"It would have been great for us and for him and for the country, but he went to Newcastle United for £15 million. Was it the right move? I don't know.
"Will he play for England again? I don't know, but I think it will come down to his next six games and whether he performs. If he doesn't I don't think he will be picked again."
"A lot will depend on how they do this season. Success drives you on, if you start to lose it drains your spirits.
"When you are winning you are top of the world, if you don't you start to wonder about your age and your health. Hopefully he is around for three, four or five years more but that will depend on his enthusiasm and hunger."

Owen Disappointed With Wembley Result

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Yesterday Man United were beaten by Chelsea in the Community Shield on penalties, Man United striker Michael Owen is disappointed that he still hasn't won a trophy at Wembley.

"I think, reading the programme beforehand, it said it was my first ever club game at Wembley, which is a surprise," he told Sky Sports News. "We had plenty of times at Cardiff.

"But obviously it was nice to play in, just disappointed with the result in the end."


I still don't understand why he didn't take a penalty yesterday, I am sure that he will win a trophy at Wembley at United.

I know that we are all still disappointed by the result of yesterdays game, especially the part that the ref had in it but I think there is a good chance that we could win the FA Cup or Carling Cup this season.



Four Man United Players In Squad

Sports News - February 12, 2009


Four Manchester United players have been named in the England squad to play Holland this Wednesday. Man United striker Michael Owen has been left out of the squad which might not be such a bad thing. Owen seems to get injured he plays for England.

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Paul Robinson, Rob Green.

Defenders: Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Matthew Upson,

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Young.

Strikers: Carlton Cole, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney