Michael Owen feels like a 21-year-old again - and he is
convinced his move to Manchester United will get him back into the
England squad.
After a difficult year at Real Madrid, followed by four poor
seasons with Newcastle, Owen is ready to relaunch himself on the
greatest stage after jumping at the opportunity to join Sir Alex
Ferguson at Manchester United.
To outsiders, it was a stunning move, resurrecting a career that
appeared to be heading for the buffers. Even to Owen it was an
unexpected development.
But there is no disguising the enthusiasm now coursing through
his veins as he looks ahead to a campaign that will see United
attempt to become the first club in English history to win four
consecutive league championships.
"I feel like I did eight years ago," said Owen.
"There are so many players on my wavelength - world-class
players. I just know this move is going to be fantastic for me.
"When you sign for Manchester United there are that many things
you think about; the players alongside you, playing at Old
Trafford, the men who are going to create chances for you.
"Then you wake up the following morning and realise you could
win the league or the Champions League.
"It just goes on and on. It is a very exciting prospect."
Messages of support have come from unlikely quarters. Jamie
Carragher for a start who, as a football man rather than a
Liverpool player, is delighted such an old friend is back where he
belongs.
And, if all goes well, it is certain someone else might be
interested too. Someone who is very influential, especially in a
season that ends with the World Cup. Someone whose regular contact
has previously remained unpublicised.
"I have never given up on England," said Owen.
"I have been in every preliminary squad before it is pared down.
I have had a letter every time. I know from that the manager is
keeping an eye on me."
An England recall would offer Owen the opportunity to score the
nine goals required for him to jump up from being the fourth
highest goalscorer in Three Lions history to join Sir Bobby
Charlton on his record mark of 49.
As Charlton burst into the room where Owen was discussing the
matter looking for a folder he left behind at an earlier meeting,
the comparison was there to be made.
"I would catch him now because he is a bit older and has just
left the room," laughed Owen.
"I have nine goals to catch him, so that is probably a year and
a half. We'll see."
A combination of United fans' long-standing antipathy for all
things England and Owen's past injury record on national duty means
the former Liverpool star would be well advised to stay clear of
the topic for now.
He is also keen to avoid discussing his association with
Anfield, or at least the impact it has on his present status as the
wearer of United's prized number seven shirt.
Nevertheless, Owen does find himself in the strange position of
knowing his goals might help United overtake Liverpool's
long-standing record of 18 league titles. Not that such a prospect
- or his return to Merseyside in a United shirt will faze him.
"I used to play for Liverpool and I know a couple of the
players, but there have been a lot of changes there," he said.
"I am quite mature about football. I don't feel the need to
react if people sing a song about me. Call me boring but it is not
in my make-up."
There is a certain irony in the shift of opinion on Owen's
career that has taken place since his Old Trafford move was
confirmed.
From being a washed-up old has-been, destined for the scrap
yard, the 29-year-old is now on the cusp of a complete
rejuvenation, gone from Phil Brown's Hull to Ferguson's United.
It is quite a transformation although, as ever, the truth is far
more mundane.
"There are some clubs from whom it is quite good if they say
they want to sign you," he said.
"It gives their fans a lift to think their team is going in for
a player like Michael Owen.
"But I could have gone to a number of other clubs who were doing
things much more quietly.
"And, in the end, the one man who in world football who you
would want a good opinion from is the one man who wanted to sign
me."
