Sir: Liverpool And England Did Not Protect Michael Owen
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Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson: Liverpool And England Did Not Protect Michael Owen
Sir Alex has criticised the way his new recruit was handled in his formative years, stating that he would have done things differently...
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.” -
i dont c u saying that when he score in the 3-1 victory during the houllier era...
"would have would have..." might as well say i would have bought the winning numbers of this week's toto....