Michael Owen missed four glorious chances in Manchester United’s 2-0 friendly win over Valencia but the very fact that he was there to miss them signals a real chance of the former Liverpool reviving his career for club and country.
Owen’s failure to find the net was described as a wasted opportunity by some, given that England coach Fabio Capello was there watching him, but consider … playing for Newcastle at the end of last season, when did he look in with a chance of scoring even one?
Here’s what Alex Ferguson said about Owen’s display:
“Michael showed marvellous movement. He should’ve scored four, but he was unlucky with the first one that he just chipped it over the goalkeeper’s shoulder and by the post. He deserved at least one of them.”
Whether he deserved to score or not is beside the point, which is that playing in this United team he can expect to have chances every time he plays. He scored four on United’s tour of the Far East and if he fluffed his lines on his Old Trafford debut he can safely reflect that it was only a dress rehearsal for the new season after all.
As for England, the fact that he is playing for United alongside Wayne Rooney will only help. Assuming he starts scoring in the Premier League, and given the sheer number of chances he can expect that seems inevitable, how long before Capello decides to translate the United forward partnership to the England set-up?
PHOTO: Manchester United’s Michael Owen reacts after a missed opportunity during their friendly soccer match against Valencia in Manchester August 5, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
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6 comments so far
been at trafford to see man u play and owen was good, he was at the right position and right place and at the right time through out the game. which to me signals a great season ahead of him. its true that he missed but thats just the pressure of playing at trafford in from of 74,000 fans. please keep in mind he did play here as a liverpool player… so the previous experience wouldn’t have been great.
- Posted by shan2but he was positive and hopefully will score lots of goals this season
Brilliant atlast people hav started to support him….i was amazed tht he missed em all..i wud bet my life for him to score tht type goals if given the chances..but smedays arent just ur days nd it wasnt his day..but hell go on a scoring spree for united
- Posted by Zahidim really glad people are supporting him too…hes a great player and will flourish at united.
- Posted by MJyep, the valencia match wasnt his night but at least he was there and in the chance of scoring. he’ll capitalise on those chances soon enough.
- Posted by wllmhllWhen more people see the ability level of Owen and praise him for it, his Midas touch will return with greater and greater constancy, with growing confidence, and he will perform beyond anybody’s expectation. Well written, Kevin.
- Posted by El CidI thought he looked a player reborn against Valencia. I was skeptical about the move when it happened but seeing the way he played the other night…
- Posted by Kevin Fylan