Sir Alex
Ferguson has stated he would have
handled Michael
Owen differently during the early stages of
his career, in order to avoid future injury
problems.
Owen is currently with the Manchester United squad in Malaysia,
where he rose to fame after three goals in four games for the
England U-20 squad in 1997.
However, speaking ahead of United's first pre-season game against a
Malaysian XI, Ferguson explained that too much pressure was
subsequently put on Owen, both at club and international
level.
He told the press, "We had Ronnie Wallwork and John Curtis playing
in that England Under-20 squad in Malaysia in 1997 and when they
came back we gave them six weeks off.
"But Michael went straight into the Liverpool first team then a
year later was playing in the World Cup for England. That was
unfair to a young player to have that kind of strain and intensity
one summer after another.
"I wouldn’t have done that but he was such a talent that Liverpool
needed him in the team and then England needed him in the World
Cup.”
Ferguson then once again expressed his confidence in Owen's ability
to score goals at the highest level, continuing, "Experience is
vital and I know Michael will score a lot of goals for us.
"He will give us experience in the penalty box. That is what he has
been great at for years.”