Michael Owen has not abandoned all hope of remaining at Manchester United beyond the end of this season. Owen has made only four appearances this term for United, and none since November, as he battled to overcome a thigh problem. Though Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken optimistically about the impact the striker could have in the title run-in when he does return, his future beyond that is open to extreme doubt. It was a surprise when Owen was offered an extension to his initial two-year deal last summer and, with Danny Welbeck joining Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández as regular members of Ferguson's starting lineup, the 32-year-old's chances of playing more regularly appear remote. The ambitious Championship club Brighton expressed an interest in January and there are bound to be plenty of suitors despite Owen's patchy fitness record. But he has not completely given up on United. "I know what I want to do," he said. "If you say certain things they can get misconstrued but I have not lost the passion to be playing more often. "In life, you have to make hard decisions. I have made some good ones and some bad, but in general terms I am pretty proud of my career. "I still think I have another two or three years but where that will be is a question that the manager would be better placed to answer. I am in exactly the same situation I was last year." There are some who claim Owen has wasted three valuable years of his career at United, where he was never likely to gain a regular place even if he had stayed fit. It is not something the forward regrets, though. "Regardless what happens, you will never hear me grumbling about the privilege of playing at a top club like Manchester United," Owen said.
what a nice bloke he is, i'm glad he's with us, i'm sure players like Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck are learning from him, i wouldn't write him off yet, i think he'll play a part in the title race.
Giggs and Scholes are way older. It's no harm keeping Owen around, he would be useful to nurture and tutor our young strikers. Besides, the guy is genuinely nice, gets along with the fans and other players. Wish him less injuries and more playing time.
Owen has changed his game significantly since he's come to United and I'm sure that is in no small part down to the development of players like Giggs, Scholes and to a lesser extent Rio have done to maintain their abilities. He can play much deeper, his link up play is excellent, he is a good dribbler as well (if I remember correctly, it was a Liverpool game when he dribbled past a few opponents including a nutmeg). I think it was the Scunthorpe Carling Cup game when he was playing virtually in central midfield dictating the play so he is multi-dimensional these days. Even just for his ability, he is an asset, coupled that to his experience, my first ever article on here was about whether Owen should get a contract extension!
Is he on a pay as you play basis? If he isn't we should work out a deal where he is, or he has a low base salary, with bonus's based on playing time. On his day he's still a damn good player, and with all the young strikers we have at our club his experience could be vital.
i personally wish Micheal Owen is still with us next season because as some of you say his experiences can be vital and he always gives his best when he plays and he hardly complains when he's not playing and when he gets a chance to score the ball is 99% on the back of the net. Plus his link up play is also very good, i remember the vital evrton game we won last season 1-0 when Hernandez scored the winner, Micheal Owen played a key part for the goal. Plus i still love him for his winner against Man City
