When the transfer window opened for the European football clubs this summer, some deals struck, mainly by the Spanish giant Real Madrid, have been at crazy and exorbitant prices. The collection of galacticos at Real Madrid next season may not guarantee the club any particular trophy out for grabs let alone the total sweep of all trophies available ( that should be what is on the mind of their new president Florentino Perez).
As star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema preferred the La Liga over the premier league, Manchester United lost the best player of the world and failed to attract the latter to England. And in the aftermath of all these tussles Man Utd ended up with Michael Owen whom some believe is some footballer who is in the sunset zone. Some writer even described Michael Owen as a cracked porcelain teapot with a broken lid and those that are snapped up by Real Madrid as fancy designer goods.
Michael Owen may have lost the pace that he once possessed in his earlier days but his instinct of sticking the ball to the back of the net should be in tact if he is fit. He is only 29 and that is the golden age of a footballer. He was at a mediocre club in Newcastle; the openings created by his teammates can hardly be compared to those which were set up by the likes of Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney in Man Utd. Ferguson has always been able to motivate a lesser player ( if we regard him as some second rate player which he is not ) and blend him into his star-studded outfit successfully. Michael Owen himself would have everything to play for, a place in the national squad and most important of all, his lost pride and respect as a forward most feared by defenders of opposing teams. So it would be unwise to rule him out of a successful run with the champion.
Whether Michael Owen will regain his striking efficiency or not, he does not cost the red devils an astronomical fee, in fact, he costs nothing in terms of transfer fees. Financially the risk is minimal. The chance that he will find back his predatory instinct depends much on his fitness and that is why he had to go through a rigorous medical checkup before the deal was finally sealed.
As for Alex ferguson this will be a chance for him to show the world that he is such a magnificient manager if he can instill confidence back into Michael Owen and make him a lethal predator in front of goal again.
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