Michael Owen has scored three goals in five starts for Manchester United, twelve appearances in total, as he starts to settle in to his new team.
Fabio Capello recently described Owen as his “tormentor” as he struggled with the decision to include him in the England squad or not.
After scoring against Barnsley last night, Owen is more than aware of the press fascination that follows him although believes he should be judged on his performances, not just goals alone.
“A start and a goal, you can’t ask for more than that,” said Owen. “It is how people judge me unfortunately. I started a game against Bolton and was pretty pleased and thought I played pretty well. Then I looked at the papers and was given a three or four. But in this game I played pretty average and scored a goal and I’ll probably get seven out of 10. I think I deserved a five in this game and seven or eight from the Bolton game.”
Take a look at Michael Owen stats so far this season in comparison to other top strikers
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Not his fault he played average yesterday, he didn’t see much of the ball, if you don’t count his missed chance and goal. I love his honesty in rating himself upon his overall performances. He should start more often or come on as a sub early, not 70th minute. Always changes the game.
His goal though has to be10/10.
To be fair though Michael, you’ve spent most of the latter stages of your career pleading with people to judge you on your goal record – can’t have it both ways son.
He should be starting more games full stop…. He is playing well and is trying to prove a point…
This is his first goal after starting a game though. I like Owen but I can’t help think that we will see the best out of him as an impact sub.
What a fair assesment from Owen.He was not that good apart from the goal but 5 is still less.Should be atleast 6 or 7.Clearly shows that he feels he can give a lot to the club and can improve even further. That goal reminded me of Michael Owen of 8-10 years back.
I really want him to succed at United. Even when he was at Liverpool I never despised him as I despised Fowler or Gerrard. His goal yesterday proves he still has it in him; if he can get an extended run in the team he could really cause mayhem for the other teams.
if owen keeps scoring goals like that and united win in those games, that would be fine by me.
rating himself a 5 is a bit harsh. ruud used to be fairly unimportant in many games until he popped up and poached a goal for us (many times the winning goal) and ended up being man of the match!
I like him and his honesty, although he always getting stick off the media about his performaces and chance to prove him self and get into the england team, but fair play he gives it back to the media to swallow and more people listen to michael than the media..
Excellent finish and if it wasn’t for Danny’s over excitement he could have had a hat trick. Don’t know what it is but I always want him to score more than anyone now. Just to shove it to the abu cunts. Whenever he plays he looks like scoring. Could have a great 4 years or more now for United and get a decent goal tally racked up.
Did anyone see the interview?… He was being sarcastic!
Was highlighting his rating against bolton being a 3 or 4.. So laughed and said he probably will only get a 5 for tonights performance.
The lad is still settleing in. I would like to see his goals per minutes ration compared to Rooney and berbatov.
The downside for owen is that he hasnt had a little run of games. I honestly think if owen was given a good run in the team he would score more goals than berbatov although i think berbatov offers more to the team as his approach play and ability to hold up the ball is good!
I was there last night, thought he had a good game, good to see that is sense of humour is being wasted on some!!! Macheda was showing some unreal touches! Great game boys !
LOL! That’s one similarity with SAF, they both despise the media!
The only thing I expect from Owen is goals to be honest. For me that’s the only measure of his performances.
i think after chrismas owen will get more games. maybe when SAF see owen can gives impact just like ole did he will play owen more often.
That’s the way press acts. Otherwise, they have nothing to note down on paper. I have supported Michael about 10 years, I didnt see any decrease in his ability to score goals like this. The only thing that make me feel that he changed is the confidence level. I always wonder, what;s in his thought when he is going to shoot the ball towards the goal post? I think he is stressful thinking that he must score it and end up over stress up with nothing done. The criticsm these years has really make him be aware of whatever he does on the field, mayb every moment he touches the ball, he will then become the highlight on the field. Cz ppl are waiting to see, what he is going to do with that. He is human, can he really handle such pressure? I think nope, credited to his injury problems too! Dun believe it? Lets get chance and try to realize, Michael seldom try to shoot the ball far away from the goal post nowadays, but he did numerous time in the past. He couldnt do it anymore or the pressure successfully brought him down?
His goal against Barnsley was very well done, kind of took matters in his own hands and charged the Barnsley defence. Well done Owen!
You could see Owens impact of the game – and the team, yesterday when the yuongsters tried to send almost impossible passes through. He is – as SAF says – an intelligent football player. And I agree, he deserves more chances
When i was telling that Berba is not good…ok, maybe he is good player, but in Manchester United, he doesnt play good, everybody said that i m crazy, and what about now?
For me, Owen is very good, and for now, i believe in him more than in Berba or Rooney. He should start with Rooney every game.
@ Ethan, you may be right. The media pressure wagon is too much. He’s scored loads of goals 4 every club, even the shit ones. and a run now would do him some stress relief.
I say we have to change formation to suit our top players. put Rooney on the left in a sheared 4-3-3?
Berba in the middle & Owen on his shoulder. Any three of Ando/Fletch/MC/PARK/Scholsy/giggs/Hargo/Gibbo behind them?
I murder people with this formation in Fifa!
@ mara I think Berba is quality but he is not catered for. I personally think he works best in the hole with players making runs ahead of him. he penged thru balls for fun @ spurs & he can do the job 4 us. maybe let scholes out for slower teams in future.
@Ethan, good points bro, me too have supported Owen for a long time, when i was 9 and that was 11 years ago. We know he’s capable of scoring goals… he is a very important asset to the team now and im very confident that he’ll score 15 goals this season. i have 2 mates who disagree with me and we put a bet on this… without a second of thoughts i agreed straight on the bet.. cause i know what is Owen capable of.
Some people will judge owen on goals alone, but what i do know is that he offers us something that we havent yet got.
One striker that is just looking to sit on the last defender and run into channels looking to get through on goal!
I would really love to see a Rooney Owen Partnership for 10 Games Running!……. Then we would see ther real Owen!
For me i am a very big beleiver that any player must play 10 Games on the trot and then be judged!
Coming off the bench for the last 20, Playing 1 match out of 4… Getting 40 Minutes here and there is difficult for any player to show what they have got!