New Manchester United striker Michael Owen insists he is
fighting fit and his injury-plagued past should not be a
concern.
The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Barclays
Premier League champions after swift negotiations which lasted less
than 48 hours.
A chequered history with injuries - hamstring problems at
Liverpool, knee ligament issues at Newcastle - was thought to have
deterred most of England's top clubs from considering signing the
out-of-contract striker but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had no
hesitation.
And Owen believes his new boss was right not to be frightened
off by reams of medical notes detailing exactly why he had spent
much of his four-year spell on Tyneside on the sidelines.
The former Real Madrid forward is believed to have undergone an
assessment on his troublesome knee in London on Thursday before
travelling to Manchester on Friday for a more general physical
check-up.
"I'd like to think that everyone was quite surprised with my
medical," said Owen.
"I passed my medical and I've obviously passed them before, and
my fitness is high.
"A lot is made out of it but I certainly don't feel like I'm
injury prone."
His manager will hope not as, if he can stay fit, Owen could
still have plenty of goals left in him.
"Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring
record at the highest level and that has never been in question,"
said Ferguson, who is a long-time admirer of a player who scored
158 goals in 297 matches for Liverpool and struck 40 times in 89
England internationals.
"Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have
is something that Michael will relish."
Owen will see his move to Old Trafford as a double challenge:
first he has to show he can still score goals at the highest level
and, second, he wants to use his higher profile to regain his
England place with a World Cup looming next summer.
The promise of Champions League football and a realistic chance
of winning domestic trophies gives Owen plenty of games to prove
himself all over again.
A return to elite-level football, having struggled at St James'
Park before they were eventually relegated to the Coca-Cola
Championship, was one of the deciding factors in choosing Old
Trafford.
That and the backing he received from Ferguson after a
hastily-arranged breakfast meeting on Thursday.
"I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue
Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have
breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he
wanted to sign me," said Owen.
"I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic
opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.
"I've 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
re-ignite my career.
"I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I
give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and
performances".