Here's a transcript of Michael Owen's exclusive
interview with MUTV's Mandy Henry...
How does it feel to have signed for Manchester
United?
It feels great. I never even had it in my wildest
dreams really but then I got the call from the manager to come and
meet him. It was a shock but I’m obviously really happy and things
have moved quickly since then.
Players probably don’t need much persuasion to move to a
club like United but what did the manager have to say to you?
We just discussed football really and the pros and
cons of signing myself. Thankfully there were more pros than cons.
So we talked about football and left David Gill and my agent to
talk about the rest. From my point of view, I just wanted to talk
about football. Then it was a case of show me the paperwork and
where I have to sign. I’m delighted to have signed.
I presume at the end of last season you didn’t think you’d
be playing for Manchester United this season?
No, but I’ve been here in the past. I came here a couple of
times as a kid, and I played in a tournament up north for Man
United. I knew Brian Kidd quite well, I met the manager and even in
the last few years, you speak to players and other people, I had an
idea that the manager still thought I had something. So I clung to
the hope that he would come and ask me to play for him one day. I
probably had a poor spell up at Newcastle but prior to that, my
career was very good and I’m sure a top club like this can reignite
my career. Hopefully I can score a few goals and help the team to
more success.
The fans will be desperate to know how your fitness is
because you’ve obviously had a torrid time with injuries in the
past few years...
I’d like to think that everyone was quite surprised
at how (good) my medical was. I knew I would pass my medical, I’ve
obviously passed them before. My fitness is fine. A lot is made of
it and probably a lot will come out in the coming months and years
but I certainly don’t feel like I’m injury prone. I’ve had a lot of
injuries since I was at Newcastle - but anybody would get injured
if someone jumped on their foot. I can name loads of players, and
probably half a dozen here, who’ve broken a metatarsal. That almost
set me on my way to having a couple of injuries subsequently
because I didn’t get that first one right. I’m 29, I’ve played off
the top of my head 500-plus games at the highest level. For me to
play that many games, I think everyone would agree you can’t be on
the treatment table all the time. But it is my plan to improve on
my injury record. I know the medical staff here are really highly
thought of so hopefully I can work with them and make sure I’m
available for every game.
You obviously know Wayne Rooney from the England set-up but
how much are you looking forward to teaming up with him and Dimitar
Berbatov?
I am, and there are so many top players here
obviously, so it’s a very exciting time for me. You get the call
that United want to speak to you, and then you sign, and everything
happens so quickly. As soon as you sign, you think, I’m going to
start playing football soon with the players you spoke about then.
There are fantastic players throughout the squad and that’s why
they’ve all won so much in their careers so far. Hopefully I can
jump on the bandwagon, help score a few goals and obviously help us
to achieve further success.
What do you hope to achieve here, Michael?
It’s early days but when you think about United, you
automatically think about winning trophies, the stadium, the
massive fanbase. Until you sign, you don’t let yourself get carried
away. I literally signed about ten minutes ago so no doubt I’ll
drive home in my car now and I won’t sleep tonight thinking about
all the top players I’m going to play alongside, about the manager,
the fans, the atmosphere at Old Trafford and everything else. So
there’s a lot to think about and a lot to get excited about.
You’ve obviously played at Old Trafford before but how much
are you looking forward to seeing those fans get behind you?
It will be lovely obviously but I’m not silly, I
know there will be a few people saying the manager shouldn’t have
signed me and things like that. But that gradually goes away over
time and then as soon as the first game kicks off, then I can
obviously do my talking on the pitch. I’m really looking forward to
pre-season. That’ll be good if I can get a full pre-season under my
belt as that will stand me in good stead for the rest of the
season. Obviously I’d like to start the season with a bang as that
will help me settle into my new career and life.
