Owen Joins United

Now this is a transfer that I would never have imagined around 10 years ago. Back then, Michael James Owen, 19 years old, was playing for Liverpool FC, one of the greatest rivals to Manchester United. He had been 'the phenomenon' (not to be confused with El Phenomenon that is the Brazilian Ronaldo) at the 1998 World Cup tournament in France. They say, it was at this time that Michael Owen announced his arrival at the biggest stage. He played for Liverpool for the next 6 years or so, before the lure of the galacticos era in Santiago Bernabeu beckoned. After that, it was a free-fall ride for him, being injured most of the time, being kept at the bench most of the time while in Spain and ridiculed as a has-been and dropped from the England set-up by Steve Mclaren and his successor, the Don Capello.

Why is this transfer being talked about so much in world football? Well, first, Owen was a former Liverpool player. Talk to any Scousers in England or around the world and they will tell you to "F**k off!" if they know you are a United fan (well, most of my friends can keep their affinity in a civilized manner, anyway...). And normally, players don't switched their 'allegiance' to any rival clubs, let alone your main rival. Hence, the uproar over Gabriel Heinze when he wanted to move to Merseyside, before REAl MADrid (scoffs....) again intervened. Football for the Mancs and Scousers are religion. I imagined them praying to a statue of Eric Cantona or Kenny Daglish or Robbie Fowler (who ironically was dubbed GOD by the Liverpool fans) every Sunday, instead of going to church.

Most people don't understand why Fergie is signing another has-been? Is it a panic move because Benzema got away? Nah! I think it's a good move on United's side. Here, both United and England will benefit. The Owen-Rooney partnership will resume again, and I am equally excited to see how he will fit into the Red's set-up. And Owen will be hungry to prove himself again, all the right ingredients to make it a successful and hungry squad again. It was said that, Ronaldo had been sowing some discontent in the dressing room, and the same goes for Carlos Tevez. So, with those two out of the way, I certainly hope Rooney will feature more. He has been wearing the club's badge with honor and would die for the cause for the team. And he has since said that he wants to retire at Old Trafford, in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Only time will tell whether this is an astute move or a blunder by Sir Alex. I for one, believe that it is a coup for the EPL. Scoff all you want all you nay-sayers out there, Manchester United has a habit of proving them wrong and exciting times beckons over a new season in England, both for Michael Owen and Manchester United.