I believe the word is ‘bombshell’.
United fans across the world were still digesting
the news of Karim Benzema’s decision to join Real Madrid, rather
than act on alleged interest from Old Trafford, when the wheels
were set in motion on one of the most astonishing transfer stories
of the summer.
The odds on Michael Owen joining United took less than 12 hours to
plummet from 20/1 to 4/9. Still, it was dismissed as nothing more
than fanciful by the majority of supporters on message boards and
fan sites.
As the rumours gathered credence, with more and more news agencies
running with the story, the scoffs soon died out. It’s undoubtedly
a polemic issue: for years Owen was regarded as the finest English
goalscorer of his generation, yet his nightmare spell at Newcastle
has done little to uphold that reputation.
Let’s start with the business angle. There's no transfer fee and
reports suggest his wage would be highly incentivised and greatly
reduced from the astronomical fees he commanded at St James’ Park.
So, nothing ventured, something gained, perhaps. Should he sign for
the Reds and fail to impact, he won’t be regarded as an expensive
flop.
The tabloids’ claims that United were pipped to Benzema’s signature
seem to carry weight. For all the talk of Ribery, Villa, Aguero et
al, the massive majority of the names thrown into the transfer
blender are either too old, too expensive or both. If indeed
Benzema was the Reds’ primary transfer target, a move for Owen is a
quick, decisive reaction to missing out.
It makes a lot of sense, really. There would be no point in
splashing out big money on a player Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t regard
as good enough to make his first choice.
Without Benzema on board, the first-choice strikers for next
season will be Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, so any new
signing would either have to be better than them both – names,
please – or that rare breed of footballer who will not kick up a
stink if he’s used primarily as an impact substitute.
In Owen, United would appear to have found that middle ground: a
player who brings much but asks little. Yes, there have been plenty
of injuries. But he was rushed back far too often during his time
at Newcastle, such was his importance to their increasingly
desperate cause. At United he can take his time and iron out any
niggles. Should he be injured and then be joined on the sidelines
by either Rooney or Berbatov, then Sir Alex can call on Danny
Welbeck or Kiko Macheda.
And how those two young bucks will benefit from training alongside
Owen. Not only can they call on coaching from Reserves boss Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer, they can now train alongside Michael Owen – and
is there a better finishing school around than learning from those
two?
As for Owen’s motivations, he has a chance to resurrect a once
glittering career in which he became famed as England’s finest
goal-poacher since Jimmy Greaves. He has another crack at the
Champions League and can play his way back into the England set-up
in World Cup year. Surrounded by better players and playing
alongside a more potent supply line, he can still improve. It’s not
even a case of teaching an old dog new tricks, since he’s still the
right side of 30.
There are naysayers among supporters and the media, which is
inevitable with an injury-prone former Liverpool striker who hasn’t
enjoyed a memorable, prolific season in four years.
The crux of any gripes with United’s summer would appear to lie
with the departure of two big-name, glamorous players in
Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Antonio Valencia is the antonym
of a glitz and glamour arrival, while Owen’s signing on a free
would be a move most noteworthy for its shock value.
While Europe’s top talents form a winding queue to be paraded
before a backdrop of trophies, fireworks and giant screens at the
Santiago Bernabeu, United’s summer activity is infinitely more
understated. The papers are having a field day, portraying United
as the mugs who are left rummaging around bargain bins while Real
sweep the shelves.
But why waste money if what you want isn’t available? It’s not
often Sir Alex misses out on a player he covets, but he’s had it
happen enough times to know not to panic buy in response. The
signing of Owen would buy some time to reassess future signings,
while not compromising the present.
It’s an unexpected punt, but then Sir Alex and Michael Owen both
like the odd flutter.