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Manchester United Debate: Where Does Michael Owen's Hat-Trick Leave Him For Club And Country?
Treble in Wolfsburg strengthens case for greater role...
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| Bet: | Returns: | Ajax £34.00 | Draw £33.00 | Man Utd. £20.00 |
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Dec 9, 2009 11:54:18 AM
Food for thought came in three helpings on Tuesday night as Michael Owen’s hat-trick for Manchester United against Wolfsburg stirred up the pot for club and country.
The striker’s terrific salvo came from the top drawer and proved the maxim that form is temporary, class is permanent. From watching briefs at the stadium and back home, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and England supremo Fabio Capello could not have failed to be impressed.
The clamour for inclusion in the United starting side and Three Lions set-up has swelled in the aftermath of the 3-1 victory he inspired against Wolfsburg.
Where the event leaves him is a source of conjecture. At club level, consistent form could not be ignored by Ferguson.
Playing second fiddle to Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney has not sat easily for Owen, but the Scot’s Old Trafford meritocracy means a flood of goals will push him up the reckoning.
Variety of options is vital for a team competing for every honour in the sport. Last night’s antics, alongside memories of his dramatic derby interjection, means United have that in their locker.
The days are gone when Owen is a constant thorn in the side of opposition, though. The pace that stretched back-lines to breaking point is a thing of the past.
Where Owen excels is his sharpness. He won’t take your breath away for 90 minutes anymore, but he can be trusted not to fluff his lines when that one chance falls his way.
This is where a spot as a World Cup wild card can’t be discounted. The competition for a place in Capello’s squad is supposed to be between him and Jermain Defoe.
Space should be found for both. A shared eye for goal and lack of height is counter-balanced with very different qualities.
The Tottenham Hotspur man still has the legs to buzz around the pitch, creating opportunities with constant movement and harassment. For Owen, the burst of speed has gone, while the sharpness of mind has been honed.
If a chance is to be sniffed out in a tight World Cup do-or-die encounter, there is no player in the country you would want it to fall to ahead of him.
Years in the football wilderness have stunted his case for inclusion. Now back in the big time, Owen is the man to be relied on at home or abroad.
Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK
The striker’s terrific salvo came from the top drawer and proved the maxim that form is temporary, class is permanent. From watching briefs at the stadium and back home, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and England supremo Fabio Capello could not have failed to be impressed.
The clamour for inclusion in the United starting side and Three Lions set-up has swelled in the aftermath of the 3-1 victory he inspired against Wolfsburg.
Where the event leaves him is a source of conjecture. At club level, consistent form could not be ignored by Ferguson.
Playing second fiddle to Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney has not sat easily for Owen, but the Scot’s Old Trafford meritocracy means a flood of goals will push him up the reckoning.
Variety of options is vital for a team competing for every honour in the sport. Last night’s antics, alongside memories of his dramatic derby interjection, means United have that in their locker.
Rooney's spot is cemented as the undisputed top man. Berbatov’s excellence from deep and Owen’s predatory nature on the shoulder of defenders are massive boosts.
Pushing his case | Goals could lead to England recall
The days are gone when Owen is a constant thorn in the side of opposition, though. The pace that stretched back-lines to breaking point is a thing of the past.
Where Owen excels is his sharpness. He won’t take your breath away for 90 minutes anymore, but he can be trusted not to fluff his lines when that one chance falls his way.
This is where a spot as a World Cup wild card can’t be discounted. The competition for a place in Capello’s squad is supposed to be between him and Jermain Defoe.
Space should be found for both. A shared eye for goal and lack of height is counter-balanced with very different qualities.
The Tottenham Hotspur man still has the legs to buzz around the pitch, creating opportunities with constant movement and harassment. For Owen, the burst of speed has gone, while the sharpness of mind has been honed.
If a chance is to be sniffed out in a tight World Cup do-or-die encounter, there is no player in the country you would want it to fall to ahead of him.
Years in the football wilderness have stunted his case for inclusion. Now back in the big time, Owen is the man to be relied on at home or abroad.
Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK
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