It's back, no not the Defoe tranfer rumour the other one.

Nick 0208 Ldn · 11th May 2008, 00:58

By ANDY DUNN and DAVID HARRISON

MANCHESTER UNITED have taken the first steps in a sensational move to sign Michael Owen.

Informal contact has been made between United and Owen's representatives over a summer transfer.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he can snap up the England striker for a cut-price £7million and is pushing for a speedy conclusion to the deal.

The United boss is convinced Owen can provide the missing ingredient to his strike force – a penalty box predator who can convert half chances.

Fergie confirmed this week that an Owen-type striker was high on his list of summer targets.

Louis Saha looks certain to be unloaded and Sir Alex said: "We will buy. Along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we may need experience in one forward position, somebody to take over from Ryan Giggs eventually."

Owen's recent goal-scoring form has convinced Fergie he can still cut it at the highest level. However, he would probably want to sign the striker on an incentive-based contract, dependent on games and goals.

Immediate

United's interest comes at a time when Owen's future at Newcastle has been thrown into serious doubt.

Talks have yet to begin on a new contract and the indications are that he will be expected to take a £40,000-a-week cut on his £120,000-a-week earnings.

That will be rejected by Owen and he will either press for an immediate move or see out the last year of his deal and go for free in 2009.

Meanwhile, Fergie will pick up a £500,000 bonus if he leads United to the double and nd his weekly wages will rise from £70,000 to £90,000.

http://blogs.notw.co.uk/sport/2008/0...-go-for-o.html

pert · 11th May 2008, 01:02

This is going to be a long, long summer...

reddevilcanada · 11th May 2008, 01:02

yeah, clearly we need another glass-man, Saha gets way too bored in the treatment room....Can't expect much better from News of the World though...

Nick 0208 Ldn · 11th May 2008, 01:08

Arsenal aren't short of a few quid, though saying that Wenger isnt' exactly free and easy with the cash you know. However if they could overcome that detail, and with Eduardo out even if just for a season it ould be worth a punt for them.

Bit of a non story as far as we are concerned IMO mind.

Don16 · 11th May 2008, 01:08

And its not even june...

Man-United · 11th May 2008, 01:10

£7M for Michael Owen. Could be worth it, why not?

Ekeke · 11th May 2008, 01:12

Swap him for Saha.

kietotheworld · 11th May 2008, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekeke

Swap him for Saha.

Would anyone notice?

lem8sh · 11th May 2008, 01:26

i'd rather keep saha

olesmyhero · 11th May 2008, 01:28

Would work if the FA decided to have international friendlies held every week. Then he'd actually be interested in playing.

Sam#1 · 11th May 2008, 01:31

Christ on a bike.

It's gonna be a long, long Summer....

skeeta · 11th May 2008, 01:37

I'd be rather cautious about signing him. The concern exist that he is a bit of a sicknote. Although he is the best domestic option there is. A pay-per-play deal with significant performance bonuses is the way to go, definitely.

Raven_Blade · 11th May 2008, 01:44

Michael Owen? I dont believe it. Still he remains a very good finisher and in our team is likely to significantly increase his goalscoring output. I dont believe that Fergie would have both him and Saha in our squad though. We cant afford to have 2 strikers with questionable injury records. So anything is possible this summer.

Aporkalypse · 11th May 2008, 01:58

We should form a posse and break his legs before he could put pen to paper for us.

VoetbalWizard · 11th May 2008, 02:04

i'd sign michael owen just to see scouser faces when he hit a goal at the kop end against them to win it for us in the 90th min.

Top · 11th May 2008, 02:04

The Telegraph interpreted those quotes slightly different than NOTW:

Quote:

Alex Ferguson: Dimitar Berbatov fits the bill

By Derick Allsop
Last Updated: 1:05am BST 11/05/2008

Alex Ferguson leads Manchester United into the deciding day of the Premier League season signalling his intent to sign Dimitar Berbatov ahead of the next campaign.

As United seek victory at Wigan to secure the club's 17th title, Ferguson has admitted for the first time that his priority is to find an experienced forward to complement his already formidable attacking options.

That will inevitably reinforce the belief that the United manager plans to prise Berbatov, the elegant Bulgarian striker, from Tottenham Hotspur.

Ferguson said: "We will buy in the summer. I'm quite happy with the one or two things we have done. In the striker department we have young Danny Welbeck, who's got a great future, and Fraizer Campbell, who's done a fantastic job on loan at Hull this year.

"We'll also have Manuchu back from Panathinaikos. He showed in the Africa Cup of Nations what a big, powerful striker he is. So, along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we've got planty of strength in that department. But we do need experience."

Louis Saha has contributed little because of injury over the past 18 months and Ferguson appears finally to have ruled the Frenchman out of the equation. United have prospered despite the absence of a recognised centre-forward, but with Berbatov as the spearhead of their attack and Rooney liberated, their potency would assuredly be enhanced.
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Ferguson revealed more of his forward planning when he pledged to restore the club captain, Gary Neville, at right-back from the start of the season.

Neville has made only a brief appearance in the first team as a subustitute in the past 14 months and, although Ferguson maintains he is fully recovered from injury, he is unwilling to burden him with service at this critical stage of the season. United have one more fixture after their trip to the JJB Stadium, the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow on Wednesday week.

Ferguson said: "I could have played Gary more often in the last few weeks, but he's been out for over a year and it's hard to do that, knowing the type of player Gary is. He needs a run of games. But he'll play from the start of next season, at right-back."
# Slow coach to Moscow: Day Two - Holland

That is the news Wes Brown was no doubt dreading. He has just signed a new contract after threatening to leave the club, presumably believing he could keep his place at right-back. Now he faces the prospect of returning to his role as defensive cover.

Ferguson is convinced Neville and his other long-serving players, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, can help mould the team as the next batch of young prospects are gradually integrated. "In those three you have the spiritual and experience factor in the club,' Ferguson said. 'The blend of experience and youth is really important."

Ferguson says he will hold back Rooney from his starting eleven at Wigan, but may name him among his substitutes - just in case.

The England player is, according to Ferguson, recovered from his hip injury, yet will not be risked unless necessary.

Ferguson said: "I'd like him to play a part at Wigan but he'll definitely be back for the Champions League final. Any talk about a hernia problem is a load of rubbish."

VoetbalWizard · 11th May 2008, 02:07

mind you, the title's a bit misleading because no player has been consistently linked to us EVERY window as much as defoe has been in the past 5 years.

no rumour will ever rear its head asmuch as defoe. i guess the second one is sagnol. that one has been going on forever too.

Nick 0208 Ldn · 11th May 2008, 02:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top

The Telegraph interpreted those quotes slightly different than NOTW:

*sigh*

The transfer window never really closes at all. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoetbalWizard

because no player has been consistently linked to us EVERY window as much as defoe has been in the past 5 years.

Oh you'll get no disagreement from me on that, why i had it in the title so, but Owen is up there as well id' say. They'll both probably be linked to us until they retire.

marcus agrippa · 11th May 2008, 03:17

why would we need another short-arse, injury prone striker?

fuck off, Owen, you Scouse-affiliated midget.

omomo · 11th May 2008, 03:18

It's from the Sun...I doubt we would want to sell Saha and exchange another version of Saha. Michael Owen is not the same man anymore. Will his ego allow him to be a bench warmer at United?

bbest · 11th May 2008, 03:52

It may be just a smoke screen. S.A.F. prefers young, up-and-coming players.

ALX8725 · 11th May 2008, 03:54

I'd rather raid Valencia for David Villa....

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 11th May 2008, 10:12

i'd rather we signed no one

[Hellboy]17 · 11th May 2008, 10:25

Owen ? He would miss all our chances on purpose

ninja_alan · 11th May 2008, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

i'd rather we signed no one

Agreed. Don't want to see that midget anywhere near OT if he isn't playing for the opposite team.

ThatOldRedMagic · 11th May 2008, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoetbalWizard

i'd sign michael owen just to see scouser faces when he hit a goal at the kop end against them to win it for us in the 90th min.

Eyepopper · 11th May 2008, 11:24

owen

Godfather · 11th May 2008, 11:25

Eyepopper · 11th May 2008, 11:29

sign him up....

Cold_Boy · 11th May 2008, 11:45

Great! another tall target man to add to our force.

smallred · 11th May 2008, 12:59

doubt this is true though SSN are giving it some covereage this morning. he is not the type of player we need and up until recently, people were saying he was finished.

RedKaos · 11th May 2008, 13:02

Would be hilarious seeing Owen in a United shirt.

11th May 2008, 00:58	#1 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Britannia ~ For a more enlightened view of the world, listen to the BBC World Service, see http://www.bbcworldservice.com Posts: 5,737	It's back, no not the Defoe tranfer rumour the other one. By ANDY DUNN and DAVID HARRISON MANCHESTER UNITED have taken the first steps in a sensational move to sign Michael Owen. Informal contact has been made between United and Owen's representatives over a summer transfer. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he can snap up the England striker for a cut-price £7million and is pushing for a speedy conclusion to the deal. The United boss is convinced Owen can provide the missing ingredient to his strike force – a penalty box predator who can convert half chances. Fergie confirmed this week that an Owen-type striker was high on his list of summer targets. Louis Saha looks certain to be unloaded and Sir Alex said: "We will buy. Along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we may need experience in one forward position, somebody to take over from Ryan Giggs eventually." Owen's recent goal-scoring form has convinced Fergie he can still cut it at the highest level. However, he would probably want to sign the striker on an incentive-based contract, dependent on games and goals. Immediate United's interest comes at a time when Owen's future at Newcastle has been thrown into serious doubt. Talks have yet to begin on a new contract and the indications are that he will be expected to take a £40,000-a-week cut on his £120,000-a-week earnings. That will be rejected by Owen and he will either press for an immediate move or see out the last year of his deal and go for free in 2009. Meanwhile, Fergie will pick up a £500,000 bonus if he leads United to the double and nd his weekly wages will rise from £70,000 to £90,000. http://blogs.notw.co.uk/sport/2008/0...-go-for-o.html

11th May 2008, 01:02	#2 (permalink)
pert Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 12,167	This is going to be a long, long summer...

11th May 2008, 01:02	#3 (permalink)
reddevilcanada First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,194	yeah, clearly we need another glass-man, Saha gets way too bored in the treatment room....Can't expect much better from News of the World though...

11th May 2008, 01:08	#4 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Britannia ~ For a more enlightened view of the world, listen to the BBC World Service, see http://www.bbcworldservice.com Posts: 5,737	Arsenal aren't short of a few quid, though saying that Wenger isnt' exactly free and easy with the cash you know. However if they could overcome that detail, and with Eduardo out even if just for a season it ould be worth a punt for them. Bit of a non story as far as we are concerned IMO mind.

11th May 2008, 01:08	#5 (permalink)
Don16 Annoying cnut Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The big goalies coming up! Posts: 2,913	And its not even june...

11th May 2008, 01:10	#6 (permalink)
Man-United Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,962	£7M for Michael Owen. Could be worth it, why not?

11th May 2008, 01:12	#7 (permalink)
Ekeke McFuckwit Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,981	Swap him for Saha.

11th May 2008, 01:26	#9 (permalink)
lem8sh Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Kingdom Posts: 1,101	i'd rather keep saha

11th May 2008, 01:28	#10 (permalink)
olesmyhero has a lazy eye...japs eye Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 4000+ miles west of old trafford Posts: 9,767	Would work if the FA decided to have international friendlies held every week. Then he'd actually be interested in playing.

11th May 2008, 01:31	#11 (permalink)
Sam#1 First Team Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo >>> Anyone. And yes, I still love Jamie Lynn Spears. Posts: 12,322	Christ on a bike. It's gonna be a long, long Summer....

11th May 2008, 01:37	#12 (permalink)
skeeta Yet another rambling idiot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Newton Heath (L&YR) F.C. 1878 Posts: 2,150	I'd be rather cautious about signing him. The concern exist that he is a bit of a sicknote. Although he is the best domestic option there is. A pay-per-play deal with significant performance bonuses is the way to go, definitely.

11th May 2008, 01:44	#13 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ronaldo Thread. Posts: 13,842	Michael Owen? I dont believe it. Still he remains a very good finisher and in our team is likely to significantly increase his goalscoring output. I dont believe that Fergie would have both him and Saha in our squad though. We cant afford to have 2 strikers with questionable injury records. So anything is possible this summer.

11th May 2008, 01:58	#14 (permalink)
Aporkalypse Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Paphos, Cyprus Posts: 1,671	We should form a posse and break his legs before he could put pen to paper for us.

11th May 2008, 02:04	#15 (permalink)
VoetbalWizard Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,880	i'd sign michael owen just to see scouser faces when he hit a goal at the kop end against them to win it for us in the 90th min.

11th May 2008, 02:07	#17 (permalink)
VoetbalWizard Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,880	mind you, the title's a bit misleading because no player has been consistently linked to us EVERY window as much as defoe has been in the past 5 years. no rumour will ever rear its head asmuch as defoe. i guess the second one is sagnol. that one has been going on forever too.

11th May 2008, 03:17	#19 (permalink)
marcus agrippa Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: "Clattenburg!- Jesus God!" - SAF Posts: 4,903	why would we need another short-arse, injury prone striker? fuck off, Owen, you Scouse-affiliated midget.

11th May 2008, 03:18	#20 (permalink)
omomo Youth Team Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 448	It's from the Sun...I doubt we would want to sell Saha and exchange another version of Saha. Michael Owen is not the same man anymore. Will his ego allow him to be a bench warmer at United?

11th May 2008, 03:52	#21 (permalink)
bbest The Caf's worst songwriter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: .................... Posts: 7,114	It may be just a smoke screen. S.A.F. prefers young, up-and-coming players.

11th May 2008, 03:54	#22 (permalink)
ALX8725 reyalP maeT htuoY Join Date: May 2007 Location: Would rather walk alone. Posts: 2,133	I'd rather raid Valencia for David Villa....

11th May 2008, 10:12	#23 (permalink)
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Football Fanatics Central..new member of the kill Sjarkus club Posts: 18,376	i'd rather we signed no one

11th May 2008, 10:25	#24 (permalink)
[Hellboy]17 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: I'd waited long enough. I fucking hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you cunt. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries. Posts: 4,272	Owen ? He would miss all our chances on purpose

11th May 2008, 11:24	#27 (permalink)
Eyepopper First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lowering the Tone since 2006 Posts: 9,831	owen

11th May 2008, 11:25	#28 (permalink)
Godfather Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austria Posts: 3,329

11th May 2008, 11:29	#29 (permalink)
Eyepopper First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lowering the Tone since 2006 Posts: 9,831	sign him up....

11th May 2008, 11:45	#30 (permalink)
Cold_Boy Amit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: somewhere i hate to live Posts: 9,379	Great! another tall target man to add to our force.

11th May 2008, 12:59	#31 (permalink)
smallred Youth Team Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 201	doubt this is true though SSN are giving it some covereage this morning. he is not the type of player we need and up until recently, people were saying he was finished.

11th May 2008, 13:02	#32 (permalink)
RedKaos Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tentacles in my mouthLOL Posts: 2,479	Would be hilarious seeing Owen in a United shirt.