G-Owen Up

Yesterday evening saw the emergence of reports that Michael Owen had secured a move to Manchester United, subject to stringent medical. I am a little surprised, not because of my own views, but because I thought the leading lights of the football world had given up on the ex-pacey striker. It seemed a given that Owen would not find himself a Premier League top four club, but instead he finds himself at one of the best in the world.

It's a bit of an old cliché to say that Michael Owen 'will always score goals when he's fit' but all clichés are born from something. I have maintained throughout his four years at Newcastle that if he can play - he should play - for both club and country. Owen has that extra touch of something special that identifies a player as world class, whether they are in-form or not. That is why he has secured a move to Manchester United.

Sam Allardyce, like many others, questioned the injury record of our former number 10. Many of us will say that he spent his time with us sat with the physio, which is fair enough. But to be honest, there aren't many players who have arrived in the last 5 years that haven't. A broken toe, a torn cruciate ligament and a double hernia, Michael Owen's fault? Absolutely not. As for the niggling muscle injuries - they have plagued nearly the whole squad for some time now. David Rozehnal had missed one game in two seasons before his transfer to Newcastle. Within three weeks of arriving, he had a groin injury. Yeah. And the 2005 training-pitch crisis anyone?

What I will say though, is that Michael Owen is not exempt from the pointed finger of relegation. He was capable of a lot more last season and his attitude was, as with many other players, disturbing. The club captain, the highest earner, Michael Owen 'the athlete; the ambassador; the icon' let us down and quality or not - get out - good riddance - you are not fit to wear the shirt.

Michael Owen brochure online here. Poor bloke - it's rubbish.