Posts Tagged ‘Wages’

Amid the financial insanity taking place on the east side of Manchester (have you seen the wages these people are getting?), a 29 year-old signed for Manchester United on July 3rd. A 29 year-old Englishman…

A 29 year-old Englishman called Michael Owen.

Did you see that one coming? I definitely didn’t. 8 years ago, as he single-handedly robbed Arsenal of FA Cup glory and helped Liverpool to a cup treble, the thought of him ever joining his Northwest rivals seemed as likely as Prince Harry serving you in McDonalds. Yet, here we are in pre-season and Owen has scored on his debut wearing the number 7 of Manchester United. I’m going to try and delve into the thinking of Sir Alex Ferguson and look at the potential for the ‘Boy Wonder’ in the current United set-up.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sale £80m sale to Real Madrid should have automatically put United onto the frontline in the summer transfer war – especially when you consider that the money was paid in one lump sum up front. However, United seem to be playing a different game this summer, possibly bitten by the poor form of Berbatov after his £30M move last august. Ferguson knows better than anyone that big money doesn’t guarantee success (Is it too cruel to mention Juan Sebastian Veron? Oh dear, too late….) and also knows the benefit of purchasing elder statesman (Cantona, Sheringham, and Larsson). But ‘injury prone’ Michael Owen? Surely a team of United’s stature should be looking above and beyond this type of capture. Surely Owen was destined to join Hull City or perhaps Everton. Surely United would swoop to capture Ribery or Benzema. Evidently not. Scratch at the surface though and it this bizarre piece of business has the potential to be a masterstroke…

It’s no secret that United have built their entire side around Ronaldo for the past three seasons and incredibly for a winger-cum-striker he was never injured. As a result, the rest of the team lived to serve him. His responsibility was huge; Penalties and free kicks were all under his control and he was the ‘go to’ man whenever United needed a winner. Its success was huge, Ronaldo scored 66 league goals as United were crowned Premier League champions 3 seasons running. Away from Ronaldo though, goals were not as plentiful as the Old Trafford faithful have come to expect and a lot of their success was down to their defensive strength and the emergence of Vidic as one of the best centre-backs in the world. However, it was always a case of when, not if, Ronaldo would up-sticks and make the move to Madrid.

Ferguson knows that it is now time for other players to shoulder the responsibility relinquished by Ronaldo and for Owen to benefit from the end product. The fluid formation used to get the best from Ronaldo (it can be argued that Man Utd have played without a striker for at least 2 years) would need to be discarded. Avid Spurs fans will tell you that Berbatov was in his element dropping deep and looking for runners ahead of him. The problem at United last season was that when he dropped deep, he often had the company of his team mates around or behind him – not ahead. The mere presence of Owen on the field suddenly makes Berbatov a more dangerous proposition and gives Owen the type of service he craved at Newcastle United.

Ronaldo’s departure also gives Wayne Rooney the opportunity to step up too. Ronaldo’s stellar form has undoubtedly pushed the great talent of English football to the periphery of the newspaper headlines in the past couple of years, yet seasoned viewers at Old Trafford will tell you of a player who has matured but yet still has that incredibly aggressive spark and a huge talent for the game. It seems Ferguson’s lack of transfer activity could be because he believes he already has the replacements bedded in at Old Trafford and that Michael Owen is there to apply the finishing touch.

So will Owen be a success? Only time will tell, but as a piece of business it looks risk-free and Ferguson knows that at the very least he has players around him desperate to prove themselves good enough. I’m predicting goals galore at Old Trafford this season and fully expect them to be the league’s top scorers in May 2010.

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Jamie Carragher has never played for anyone but Liverpool and the chances are he never will. In an age where players move clubs for a couple of extra grand a week, Carragher stands out as a throwback to a bygone era. Liverpool are his club. Not just because they pay his wages but because of the connection he feels with the side.
It is a testament to the power of Liverpool FC that Carragher, an ardent Everton fan as a boy, has turned into one of their heroes. The boy from Bootle had to keep his allegiances to the blue half of Merseyside quiet when he first joined the Liverpool set-up in 1994 but since then there has been no doubting where his heart lies.

Jamie Carragher Signed Liverpool Shirt

£149.99


This Liverpool home shirt was personally signed by Jamie Carragher on March 26, 2010 in Liverpool.Carragher is the rock of Liverpool's defence, the club’s vice captain and a constant inspiration to his team-mates. He was a crucial part of the side that famously won the Champions League in Istanbul in 2005, battling cramp to drive the side to victory.This shirt is a superb item of football memorabilia, and would make a great present for any Liverpool fan. it comes with a certificate... More

Jamie Carragher Signed Liverpool Photo: Lifting European Cup

£74.99


This superb image was signed by Jamie Carragher in a private signing session in Liverpool on March 26, 2010. It shows Carragher lifting the European Cup after Liverpool's incredible Champions League win over AC Milan in 2005.Milan had cruised to a 3-0 lead at half-time thanks to the sublime Kaka and Liverpool looked dead and  buried. But then came the greatest comeback of all time in a European final. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso brought the... More