Man Utd striker Owen won't be fazed facing Liverpool

• limpper

  19 Jul 09, 11:22

  Man Utd striker Owen won't be fazed facing Liverpool

  Manchester United striker Michael Owen says he won't be fazed facing former club Liverpool this season.

  "I used to play for Liverpool and I know a couple of the players, but there have been a lot of changes there," he said. "I am quite mature about football. I don't feel the need to react if people sing a song about me. Call me boring but it is not in my make-up."

  There is a certain irony in the shift of opinion on Owen's career that has taken place since his Old Trafford move was confirmed.

  From being a washed-up old has-been, destined for the scrap yard, the 29-year-old is now on the cusp of a complete rejuvenation, gone from Phil Brown's Hull to Ferguson's United.

  It is quite a transformation although, as ever, the truth is far more mundane.

  "There are some clubs from whom it is quite good if they say they want to sign you," he said. "It gives their fans a lift to think their team is going in for a player like Michael Owen.

  "But I could have gone to a number of other clubs who were doing things much more quietly.

  "And, in the end, the one man who in world football who you would want a good opinion from is the one man who wanted to sign me."

• limpper

  19 Jul 09, 11:24

  Man Utd's Owen frustrated by Newcastle criticism

  Manchester United signing Michael Owen admits he's hurt by criticism of his time at Newcastle United.

  The star striker has been stung by repeated criticism of his behaviour, particularly helicopter flights back to his Cheshire home from the north-east and a fledgling horse-breeding business being run by his wife Louise.

  Both have been used as evidence Owen's heart was not with the Tyneside outfit, a damning verdict on their £18million record signing which he is anxious to counter.

  "You learn to understand the reaction but if you do step back, you think it is strange or unfair," he said.

  "When you are being relegated, nobody is interested in listening to you. But I knew it was all to do with me not scoring.

  "If you don't score and you don't win, you are wrong to have a helicopter and fly home each week to see your kids. You are wrong to have a business outside of football. You are wrong to plan for the future.

  "If the goals had been going in I would have been a great lad, popping home to see my three kids and be a family man on a Tuesday after training. I would have been thoughtful and innocent little things would not be misrepresented."

• limpper

  19 Jul 09, 11:25

  Owen: I know Man Utd will be fantastic for me

  Michael Owen is convinced he's made the right decision in joining Manchester United.

  "I feel like I did eight years ago," said Owen.

  "There are so many players on my wavelength - world-class players. I just know this move is going to be fantastic for me.

  "When you sign for Manchester United there are that many things you think about; the players alongside you, playing at Old Trafford, the men who are going to create chances for you.

  "Then you wake up the following morning and realise you could win the league or the Champions League.

  "It just goes on and on. It is a very exciting prospect."