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Ian Rush: Sir Alex Ferguson can get Michael Owen flowing again
Andrew Hodgson03.07.09
Ian Rush has backed Michael Owen to prove his critics wrong after he signed for Manchester United.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker completed a series of stringent medical tests and has signed a two-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.
Owen, 29, had earlier spent the day at United's Carrington training complex as the terms of his free transfer were thrashed out, after he lapsed out of contract with Newcastle at the end of last month.
Rush has no doubts Owen can prove his class with the Premier League champions after his failed spell on Tyneside.
Rush said: “People have knocked Michael Owen all his career but he comes back bigger and better.
“People said he was finished years ago but he's a fantastic player who comes back stronger and better.
“The talk won't worry him, I know the way he is and he doesn't have to prove anything anyway. It's a chance for Michael to get back and score some goals. He'll get chances for Manchester United and will score goals.”
Rush — who scored a club record 346 goals for Liverpool in two spells either side of an ill-fated stint in Italy with Juventus — believes Owen would make a good impression were he to return to Anfield.
However, the 47-year-old, who made 73 appearances for Wales added: “Personally, I'd like to have seen him at Liverpool but they haven't lost their best strikers.”
Owen's Newcastle contract lapsed on Wednesday but although the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker apparently remained eager to stay in the Premier League, it appeared only Stoke and Hull were ready to make a concrete offer.
But this week, they were joined by United, who have lost star man Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez since the end of last season.
Ronaldo was whisked off to Real Madrid in a world record £80million deal while United were unable to seal a deal for on-loan Tevez.
Owen suffered from a series of injury problems at St James' Park where he scored 30 goals in 79 games, and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was thought to be lining up a pay-as-you-play deal for the forward.
Opinion is bound to be divided among the Old Trafford fans, who still see him as a Liverpool hero.
United have not signed a player with any Anfield links in living memory and even though he is rated by Ferguson that is not the case with England coach Fabio Capello.
The Italian believes Owen has neither the form nor fitness to add to his 89 caps and 40 international goals.
But after Owen's management company Wasserman Media Group had sent out a 34-page brochure highlighting their client's positive attributes — which include scoring 158 times in 297 goals for Liverpool — Owen appears to have been given the chance to forge a partnership with Wayne Rooney.
Reader views (6)
Michael Owen, if he stays fit will without doubt shut his critiques up. He's a brilliant player who needs to play at the top of the game. Good luck Mike from a Chelsea fan who doesn't mind watching ManU but not the gooners, no way. Haa
- Mike, London
Good luck Michael.Sir Alex does not do mistakes.Get back in the England side.
- John, benidorm,spain
I think Fergie will blow a gasket this season ...it's all down to Rooney and Owen to score . Paul Scholes is playing less as is Giggs ..plus the games won't be stopped every two minutes for a foul with Ronaldo not diving all over the pitch .He has bought some real duck eggs over the years but lets hope that Owen can stay injury free .
- Disgusted Of Tunbridge Wells, Edison u.s.a.
re owens what a gift .think about all the experience and guile that he can pass along to the great assemblage of youngsters that SFA hasso ably put together.i feel that with the departure of some enormous egos that the TEAM will be better .look back over twenty years and you would not bet against the canny scot
- John Bailey, palm beach gardens florida usa
Ten years ago, yes, but now, NO. Owen is a spent force, and Ian Rush, no great shakes after he left Anfield, is way off the pace with his opinions. Mind you, he might be playing a Scally game with the old enemy - come on you Scousers, spill the beans!!!
- Ted, London
Michael Owen at Man Utd. NO NO NO NO NO Has Fergie completely lost the plot? His world scout (His brother Martin btw) has delivered many turkeys to Man U in the past, but he cannot be blamed for this clanger. He has a total ME ME ME mentality. Is selfish beyond compare. and is a delusional pratt too. He is a sneaky wily politician who will divide the dressing room and spread his myopic poison all over Old Trafford. The deluded pratt went to Real Madrid thinking he was going to usurp either Ronaldo or Raul. Is he for real (geddit)?
Fergie has made quite a few mistakes during his tenureship of Man U. His brother Martin should have been kicked out decades ago. We all know about his nepotic antics with his son Jason-I'm willing to wager that his wife runs the catering at Old Trafford-but the success he brought allowed all that to be overlooked. However, He cannot, must not, be allowed to bring in Owen. It will backfire spectacularly. and he can never claim that 'It was a gamble that I thought was worth taking' The world knows about Owen and his problems. Thank god for Cappello and his clear thinking ways. Owen is a first class pratt who claims" I always think about others before I think about myself" Yeah right!!
- Knowitaqll, London
