Michael Owen scored his third goal of the season against Barnsley this week and has enjoyed a good scoring rate for us so far.
Mike Phelan has today talked of the options we have up front, whether we play Owen in the cups, whether he’s a sub, or if he’s in the starting XI.
“Michael has come to Manchester United as it a fresh challenge for him,” said Phelan. “We can use him as and when we need to use him. He is not at the forefront of everything. It gives him time to prepare and be ready for games like Barnsley. Alternatively we can bring him on as substitute or start him in a first-team game.”
Phelan also talks about the benefits of having a striker like Owen in the team.
“Michael is always looking and always on the move,” he added. “He was quick to take the shot. He got it out of his feet quickly and caught the keeper by surprise. That is the quality of Michael Owen and those qualities are of benefit to us.”
Thanks for the updates GHTT…
To Fze123
“I think, against the lower teams (if there are any left in the league) Fergie should start Macheda with Rooney”
I agree with everything else in your post, regarding the Berbs and Owen pairing and all. They have a connection and complement each other nicely. Berbs and Rooney don’t see eye to eye and it really kills our attacking play at times.
I just disagree that Kiko should get the nod over Welbeck for the 4th striker spot. Welbeck looks like he can play a lil…; nice touches and good skill, pace and I’d rate his finishing as better than Kiko. I hope Kiko goes out on loan to the Hulls or Portsmouths or even a Championship side to get much needed experience.
Ya.. agree that gives him more minutes on the pitch, and he can conjure more that what he did in past games! Time for him to stay on pitch past games seem fleet. So why don’t jz give him more try? Or mayb, what about a 4-3-3 formation?
He can be blur for the whole match on pitch. Bt as what he is irriated about, a start and a goal. But obviously, Owen often prove that, a chance and a goal. Where to seek for chance? He knows by heart. His divine play definitely helps!
hurm… gutted here.. stupid ref again..
cantona7
I dont blame the ref i blame the linesman
Off Topic:
Can anyone tell me about the performance of the lads in the Lancashire Cup against the scoucers. I mean which players were good and if any player gave a stand out performance. Specially interested in Tosic’s performance.
I’d be interested to see Owen and Rooney start against Chelsea next month. Owen offers that extra bit of penetration that we don’t have against the big teams without him. You saw on Sunday that when he came on he was the only player that looked like getting a one on one with the keeper and was set up by Rooney so who’s to say they aren’t a good partnership?
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_5660539,00.html
Story that Spurs are looking at buying Rio in the summer and we are after Jack Rodwell.. What would you lads think?
@bigphil2003
agree mate.they can play together althogh that didnt work out against Burnley.Owen still is better at finding the spaces between defenders than Rooney and Berba can.He also dosent drop too deep like the other 2.But saying that Berba’s first touch is magical and has been our best player over the last month.Rooney ahs been the odd man out and has been poor by his standards.i personally think SAF will play 4-5-1 against the rentboys with Rooney alone up front and ando fletch and carrick in thye middle with valencia and giggs on the wings.
Long John O’Shea
rubbish news just to sell the copies.will never happen
AIG… it came from the Mail for fuck sake… i really should know better than even reading shite like that… but still it did get me thinking.. I wouldnt mind Evans getting a good run with Vidic..
Long John O’shea
evans is the future of this club but i am sure rio still has a lot left in him.just loss of form which happens with every player at some stage in their career.he will be back to his best soon.still think we should buy another young centre back maybe round about 19-20 years of age.heard we were signing some brazilian defender dodo.have we signed him? heard he is a great talent
AIG, i agree too that Berba has been our best player the last month, but I’m still not convinced that he and Rooney are a partnership that will do great damage in the biggest games. Unfortunately I think you’re probably right that Fergie could play a 4-5-1 against Chelsea but I’d rather he takes a risk and starts Owen. With Fletch in midfield I think we’d have enough tenacity (that we lacked sorely against Liverpool) that we don’t need 5 midfielders.
AIG… Haven’t heard much about this Dodo chap.. But could you imagine? 3 Brazilian defenders for United? Evans would be the only one with the keeper in our half!!! But really I do hope Rio does get his head down with the football and takes a back seat in his other businesses until his form is back..
Morning everyone.Before the Chelsea game, we have Blackburn to look forward to. A game for which we could have some key players missing. Fergie said that Rio,Vida and Ryan are doubtful. Fletch resumed training yesterday and could be in contention for the Chelsea game. Vida’s calf injury is the biggest concern at the moment.
Another keeper linked with United.i have seen hi play.Is a very good keeper and is germays regular keeper now.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5660730,00.html
I would like to see this goal from Tosic and a alleged penalty …links ..??? Anyone?
Yeah Costas, I wasn’t forgetting about the Blackburn game at all as they have been our bogey team a few times – but I think that for games against the “smaller” teams – and particularly home games – then I think Berba and Rooney will be more effective.
@bigphil2003
For one thing, i agree that we shouldn’t play with 5 midfielders at the Bridge. Secondly, i also think that it’s time Owen started a game of that magnitude. I have been impressed with him over the last couple of weeks. At Anfield he was one of the few reds that did theselves justice. I am just very cautious of Blackburn, because this season we have found it very difficult to kill off these games at Old Trafford.
Morning
Costas – Is Fletch still not fit for tomorrow then? Blackburn should be considerably easier than normal seeing as they have all got swine flu. Even if they have recovered they won’t have trained properly. Should bury the fuckers tomorrow.
Moning King Eric. I think Fletch is out. That’s what i gathered from Fergie’s press conference. But he should be fit for Chelsea. Of course, a cameo against CSKA, wouldn’t hurt him.
I hope you are right about Rovers. And it’s about time we buried a team at Old Trafford this season(other than City).
It has been a long time since we threw a small club down the stairs.I hope Rovers are our victims.
“It has been a long time since we threw a small club down the stairs”
What an awesome turn of phrase.
@ Andrew
I think Macheda is better at finishing, whereas Welbeck is more good at set pieces. Apart from his goal at Barnsley, he was missed some close chances sloppily. The kind of goals he scores are headers, 20 yard screamers, he has a powerful shot. Also, he is energetic, similar player to Rooney, so I think Macheda would be better suited up front partnered with Rooney. If Macheda goes on loan, it’s unlikely he’ll be back because it’s happened many times with out youngsters on loan. Also, he said that he’d like to go back and play in Italy in the future, so it’s best to keep hold of him. He’s quality, will be something big in the future.