Michael Owen's contract has been extended for a further year, in a deal that will see the forward complete a third season as a first-team player.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Michael has proved to be a top footballer. It’s unfortunate Michael didn’t get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable. I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season.”
Michael Owen said: “I’m delighted to have agreed a one-year extension to my contract. To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration. I can’t wait for next season to start."
When Owen arrive in July 2009 at Old Trafford the move raised eyebrows, but the former Liverpool striker Michael Owen is undoubtedly one of the finest goalscorers in the history of English football.
The Chester-born forward notched up more than 200 goals for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United, plus 40 goals in 89 England internationals prior to signing for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Owen burst to prominence at his boyhood side, Liverpool, where he scored on his first-team debut aged just 17. His lightning pace, untraceable movement and clinical finishing made him a Premier League revelation, and it wasn’t long before he took the international stage by storm.
The 1998 World Cup in France was Michael’s springboard, as he scored an incredible solo goal in England’s second-round tie with Argentina. While red-carded United midfielder David Beckham became something of a scapegoat for the Three Lions’ penalty shootout exit, Owen was hailed a national hero.
His Liverpool career went from strength to strength, and in 2001 his part in the Merseysiders' triple cup haul of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup – together with international feats including a hat-trick against Germany – earned him the Ballon d’Or and FWA Player of the Year awards.
Michael left Liverpool after eight years following the arrival of new manager Rafael Benitez, swapping countries with the new man at the Anfield helm as he moved to Real Madrid. Although he was only in La Liga for a season, Owen bagged 14 goals in 22 starts for Real before a surprise £16million move to Newcastle.
A spate of injuries underscored Owen’s career at St James’ Park, and his four seasons with the Magpies yielded only 65 starts, although he did still notch 30 goals in that time. Michael’s contract expired in the summer of 2009, at which point Sir Alex swooped to sign the famed goal-poacher on a free transfer, offering him a two-year deal.
He got his United career off to the perfect start with a winning goal on his non-competitive debut during the 2009 Asia Tour. After coming off the bench in the 61st minute, Owen pounced on a loose ball after Ryan Giggs had been tackled in the area and coolly slotted home to secure a 3-2 win over a Malaysian XI.
The striker's first official goal for the Reds came in the 5-0 away win over Wigan Athletic on 22 August 2009, but his second strike, on 20 September, was the one that instantly catapulted him into Old Trafford folklore. After coming on as a late substitute, he popped up in the 96th minute to collect Giggs' penetrative pass and make it 4-3 to United in a thrilling Manchester derby.
Although two thirds of his appearances were as a sub, Owen's tally of nine goals in all competitions more than justified his acquisition. That’s especially true given the importance of some of those efforts – including a hat-trick away to Wolfsburg in the Champions League and the opening goal in the 2010 Carling Cup final.
It was so unfortunate that Owen's injury curse came back to haunt him shortly after that latter strike, not only curtailing his first season at United but also snuffing out any hopes he might have had of being in England's 2010 World Cup squad. And of course, we'll never know what difference Michael might have made to the title race that United lost by just one point had he been fit in March, April and May.
Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and new signing Javier Hernandez kept Owen on the bench for much of 2010/11, but though he started only four games in all competitions, he managed five goals.
His 11 league appearances (10 from the bench) were enough to earn him a first Premier League winners' medal.
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