Did the Michael Owen Experiment Fail?

Signing Michael Owen over the summer was hailed by the press as another brilliant masterstroke in the long reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. Manchester United was in need of some firepower…and here was one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation – a bit crocked and a few years past his prime, but available on a free transfer.

It was worth the gamble – the theory went – and if Owen could stay fit, then United would benefit tremendously.  The move certainly began with promise, with Owen scoring a classic injury-time winner in September’s Manchester derby.  But as the season churns on, and the Cheshire lad’s appearances on the pitch become few and far between, it looks like the much-hyped Michael Owen Experiment is doomed to fail.

Granted, the move was always laden with risks. Since fleeing Liverpool for sunny Madrid in 2004, Owen’s career has been in freefall, punctuated only by bi-monthly visits to some specialist doctor or another in Switzerland or Colorado. Sure, he still had the golden boot – he just had problems staying fit.

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