Michael Owen Can Break England Record - Manchester United Veteran Ryan Giggs

Having recently begun to enjoy the company of Michael Owen at Manchester United, Ryan Giggs believes that the striker's rebirth could have record-breaking consequences.

Sir Bobby Charlton is the all-time leading goalscorer for the England national team with a total haul of 49 goals; however, with a tally of 40 strikes in 89 appearances, Owen's renaissance poses a significant threat to the hall-of-famer.

"If Michael is playing and scoring for United, then the rest will come," Giggs is quoted in The Times as saying.

"Sir Bobby's record has proved difficult for anyone to overhaul. But looking at Michael's ratio of goals per game for England, you would have to say that if he plays, say, another 15 internationals, he will probably overtake it."

Owen has been enjoying an injury-free and revitalised run of form since setting up shop at Old Trafford, scoring two goals in two pre-season games and impressing his peers in the process.

"Michael is just proving what we all know: that he is a great goalscorer," Giggs continued.

"He's a poacher who scores all types of goals - headers, tap-ins and then a great volley [against Hangzhou]. They have all come from inside the box and that's where he does his work. That's where he comes alive.

"The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] says that he provides something that we haven't got. He's a predator in the box and that is something we have not really had since Ruud van Nistelrooy left.

"The good thing about Michael over the years is that if he misses a chance, it doesn't bother him one bit. Ruud had the same mentality. Coming here has given him a new lease of life."

Stephen Crawford, Goal.com

Get the latest from the world of Transfers by following Transfer LIVE! Join the chat and see all the news on a minute-by-minute basis here