On Friday the news broke that Owen has signed a 2 year contract with the Red Devils, prompting widespread debate as to whether Owen can still perform, whether Sir Alex has lost his marbles, or if it’s a brilliant masterstroke by the old Scot.
I believe Ferguson has played the situation perfectly, and picked up a great signing. He shrewdly kept under wraps any interest that he had in the 29 year old England striker. With only the likes of Hull and Stoke taking an interest in Michael, and his contract at Newcastle already expired, Owen must have been starting to get a little nervous as to just where his career might be headed.
Then along comes Sir Alex and offers Owen the chance to be great again, at a highly discounted wage compared to his old 110K a week deal with NUFC. He knocked his salary down by more than 50% to 50K a week, but when the choices are Manchester United, Stoke or Hull…it’s fairly obvious where any ambitious player would go.
Many people are saying that it is a “gamble” by Ferguson, but I don’t see it as such at all. Manchester United can easily afford 50K a week salary even if Owen were to get injured tomorrow and never set a foot on the pitch, United would hardly miss the 50K. And to get a player of his caliber for FREE, is fantastic. It could only be considered a gamble if Ferguson doesn’t sign any other strikers this summer and uses Owen as a direct replaced for Tevez; which remains to be seen.
I think Owen will easily bang in 15-20 goals this season even he starts most games on the bench; behind Rooney and Berbatov in the peaking order.
One must not forget that it takes a certain kind of player to play for United, one who is willing to put the team first, sit on the bench if needed, act professionally on and off the field. Owen has all of these traits, and while he may not be as skillful as departing winger, Christiano Ronaldo, he will be a far better roll model for the United youngsters.
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