Ferguson attacks Liverpool over Owen

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has reignited his resentment for Liverpool FC with a premeditated attack on the Anfield clubs youth development system. Ferguson claims the Reds treated Michael Owen “unfairly” by putting the then 18-year-old Owen under unnecessary “strain and intensity” by playing him in high profile matches at too early an age.

Reported in the Star, the Scottish manager said: “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 who needs very little excuse to attack Liverpool has clearly forgotten the age of 18-year-old Wayne Rooney when he joined United. Earlier this year Ferguson accused Reds boss Rafa Benitez of disrespecting Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce with an innocuous hand gesture. The attack, which the Manchester United coach may have interpreted as ‘voodoo’ hand signals, was intended to derail the Reds Premiership campaign was reported in full at ‘LFC Alert’ and can be read here.

Fowler declares he would never join Manchester United

Former Liverpool idol Robbie Fowler admitted he would never do a Michael Owen reports the Echo. Speaking ahead of his long-awaited Australian debut for Queensland Fury tomorrow, Fowler, when asked if he could ever have joined Manchester United declared:

“No, I don’t think so.”

“It’s a sticky situation and I don’t want to get drawn into things with Michael and Man United. Everyone knows I’m a Liverpool fan,” he added.

Owen signing for United the final insult for a player intent on pursuing his International career

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has signed a two year deal with Manchester United. This site was running the story on Thursday after bookmakers slashed their odds on the move amid claims that tentative talks had taken place.

Owen speaking about the move to the Telegraph said: “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon and invited me to have breakfast with him the next morning, during which he told me he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment’s thought."

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands. I am looking forward to being a Manchester United player. I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance I will repay him with goals and performances.”

The former Liverpool player is said to have undergone a series of medical tests before United were convinced of the players fitness. Owen passed a test on his problematic knee in London on Thursday, with further tests at Carrington on Friday morning. The striker then travelled to Bridgewater Hospital, in Manchester city centre, for a full medical examination. The Telegraph reports: “the formalities of the deal, which is believed to be worth a basic salary of around £30,000-a-week, were concluded on Friday evening.”

The move to Liverpool’s bitter rivals is for many Kopite’s, the final insult for a player intent on pursuing his England and personal goals. Speaking about his move to Real Madrid from Liverpool, Owen said: “It is a step forward to me. To play in Real is something more. I hope this change will take me a bit further ahead in my career.”

His move back to England to join Newcastle a year later was seen as some as a way to kick starting his England career with a world Cup looming the following summer. Once again Owen is in the international wilderness, with Fabio Capello refusing to play the former Liverpool hero. A move to Manchester United will certainly boost his profile with the England boss.

Owen linked with Man U

Transfer Speculation
Manchester United are reportedly in talks with former Liverpool player Michael Owen. The club have recently sold Ronaldo, where unable to secure Tevez and were beaten to the punch for primary target Karim Benzema who struck a deal with Real Madrid today. Owen is looking for a new club after allowing his Newcastle contract to expire and a number of Premier League clubs are considering a move. Hull and Stoke have reported an interest in the player, but now one bookmaker has "slashed their odds on the 29-year-old moving to Old Trafford amid claims that tentative talks have taken place between Owen's representatives and United officials,” says Sky Sports.

UPDATE:
A number of newspapers are running this story this morning.
The Times claims: “Michael Owen will sign for Manchester United on a free transfer today provided that he passes a stringent medical at Old Trafford.”

“The deal will require Owen to accept a huge drop in salary from the £120,000 a week he was earning on Tyneside. Everton, who made an offer this week, had been willing to pay a basic salary of about £50,000 a week” says the story But.”Owen will have to convince the doctors that he is fully fit,” reports the article.

Today's Star says: “United refused to confirm the shock move last night but a source close to Owen said: ‘It looks like Michael will sign for United in the next couple of days,’ and “United players have even been texting each other believing Owen had signed.”

“The first hint that Owen may be on his way came when punters started betting heavily yesterday on the England striker moving to Old Trafford,” says the story.

Today's Post says: "Owen suffered from a series of injury problems during his stint at St James’ Park and Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to be lining up a pay-as-you-play deal for the forward.

Transfer Speculation: Mascherano, Alonso, Reina, Tevez, Silva, Albiol, Distin, Owen, Dossena

Javier Mascherano
The Mail claims the Argentinian midfielder is set to leave Liverpool, with Barcelona preparing a £35million bid. The Argentine, 25, has told boss Rafael Benitez he needs to leave because his wife, Fernanda, is reluctant to return to England. The article says Masherano’s wife is pregnant and “has returned to South America with their daughter Iola and does not want to fly back. Benitez is understanding but still wants at least £35m for his midfield enforcer. Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer, held talks on Wednesday with Barca general manager Raul Sanlehy and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who will offer around £20m plus possibly striker Bojan Krkic.”

Xabi Alonso
A number of papers are reporting that Xabi Alonso has cast further doubt on is Liverpool future because of the answer he gave to a Spanish Radio station. The Guardian reports: “Asked by the Cadena Ser radio station if he would be disappointed having to stay at Liverpool next season, he responded: "I can't answer that question." To which the interviewer replied: "And with that you have said it all." The Telegraph is also running the same interview, but reveals more of Alonso’s answer: “But each player thinks about their own future. It's clear that on the outside there are reports about your future, but you cannot do much and the only thing you can do is train normally."

Jamie Carragher speaking in an interview on Sky Sports has this to say on the subject: "This summer there has been a bit of speculation about players moving on, so at the moment I'm hoping that doesn't happen rather than people come in. We have got a great side at the moment, and I'm sure the manager will make a couple of additions, but we don't want to lose anyone." Speaking of Alonso, Carragher said: "He and Stevie Gerrard were probably our best two players last season. I think Stevie won Footballer of the Year, but if you asked the fans I think they would maybe say that Alonso was our best player last season so he is certainly someone we don't want to lose."

Pepe Reina
The Reds keeper has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, because current keeper Victor Valdes had not signed a new contract with the club. However the Mail says: “Victor Valdes has ended speculation linking him to Manchester United by signing a new contract at European champions Barcelona. The extention to 2014 is also likely to be met with relief at Liverpool, whose Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina had been lined up as a replacement for the Nou Camp No 1.”

Carlos Tevez
The Argentinian has today ruled himself out of a move to Liverpool Football Club. Sky Sports News sources have been informed that a move to Anfield is not an option for Tevez. Interestingly, the player has not ruled himself out of a move to arch rivals and ‘swimming -in-loot’ club Manchester City. However this is probably more of an over site by the considerate young player who clearly wouldn’t upset any United fans with a move to Eastlands.

David Silva and Raul Albiol
Today’s Mirror says of the upcoming move of Glen Jonson will be the first edition to his summer transfer activity, but it wont be his last. Speaking of Benitez the story says: “He wants a wide player and has been chasing Valencia winger David Silva for some time, while he is also in talks over the Spanish club's centrehalf Raul Albiol, with the pair valued at a combined £30m.”

Sylvain Distin
The Mail declares that Liverpool have launched a bid for Sylvain Distin: “The 31-year-old French defender is in demand. Liverpool have already placed a £2million bid and Aston Villa have also expressed an interest. Sunderland, keen to bolster their leaky defence, want him too but Steve Bruce is likely to be disappointed. Distin is keen on Liverpool but he may only be a squad player there and will be keen to hear Martin O'Neill's plans.”

Michael Owen
Fernando Torres has spoken about Michael Owen, who is available on a free transfer and has recently sent out a brochure to Premiership, Italian and Spanish clubs promoting his services. Torres said: "I know that he is a big part of the history of this football club and that the fans at Anfield loved him," said Torres in the Daily Mail. "I have no idea where he will be playing next season, but I am convinced that he still has a lot to offer. He has been unlucky with injuries in recent years and I know how frustrating that can be, but he has a natural instinct in front of goal and you don't lose that just because you have been injured."

Andrea Dossena
The Telegraph reports that Juventus are considering both Dossena and international team-mate Fabio Grosso, 31, to fill the left-back spot. "I don't know if you can call it an ultimatum, but I think that Juve will decide what to do within the next week," agent Roberto La Florio told Calciomercato.it. "The left-back position is a necessity for the Bianconeri and the directors are not willing to drag this on. However, I still think it's a two-horse race between Andrea and Grosso. Dossena's age and wages are on his side. Is he worth around 6-7million euros? The last time I met with Liverpool we did not talk about numbers, I can only say they paid more for him last summer. Andrea has subtly expressed his desire to join Juve in recent days, but he also said that he loves it in Liverpool. We'll definitely know more about it next week and Juve remain the most likely destination for him."

Gerrard speaks of his admiration for Owen

Steven Gerrard has given his thumbs up to former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen, with some papers suggesting Gerrard would like to see Owen return to Anfield, although he has recently been linked with a move to Everton. Gerrard was hosting the media yesterday in prelude to England’s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday, said: "I'm a player, I'm not a scout or a manager but if I was I would be giving Michael a ring. I'm a big fan of Michael, a good friend of his and I would love to see him get a move to a big club and get his England career back on track. He's suffered a lot in the last couple of years with injuries but a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in this squad for sure. I've not spoken to him that much of late but I'm sure, knowing Michael as long as I have, he will be desperate to get back playing football again, stay fit and scoring goals."

Owen return ruled out

Transfer Speculation

Rafeal Benitez has ruled out a return for Michael Owen in the summer claims The Telegraph. Owen who left Liverpool in the summer of 2004, just weeks after Rafa took charge of the Reds will become a free agent in the summer. Benitez tried to re-sign Owen a year after he left Liverpool, still needs to strengthen his attacking options with the likes David Villa, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz constantly being speculated in the press. Speaking about the possibility of Owen mimicking Robbie Fowler’s return to Anfield three years ago he said “It is a different situation between Michael and Robbie Fowler. We were looking for a striker with his quality because we needed to improve. Michael is younger and still has years to play. At this moment, we are pleased with Torres.”

Despite several papers claiming the contrary, Rafa has also played down reports that Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano would be leaving in the summer. "I spoke with Javier and he is really happy here and really pleased to be at Liverpool. He is a key player for me. "It is the same situation with Xabi - we want to keep the key players. That is something we are very clear on."

Owen moving to Everton?

Transfer Speculation

A number of morning papers are reporting that former Liverpool player Michael Owen has become a target of Everton. Owen who becomes a free agent in the summer would need to break Everton’s pay structure if he was to join the club. Regarded more with footballing respect rather than true affection among Liverpool fans, he never quite reached the iconic level of Robbie Fowler, or Gerrard. His response about his move from Liverpool to Madrid probably contributes to this feeling amongst red fans. “It is a step forward to me. To play in Real is something more. I hope this change will take me a bit further ahead in my career.” Oh dear!