FUSSnotes

Owen: Magpie

So much for my career in football punditry...

Michael Owen, here, is visibly humbled by the 25,000 Newcastle fans who showed up to greet himwarmly at St. James Park. The reception must feel to him he's made a good decision and will help the soreness of not returning to don a red shirt.

In the signing photos, you can see the satisfaction on the faces of Freddy Shepherd and Graeme Souness -- both are unemotive types -- who rightly feel their work rewarded.  They have reeled in a big one.

Anybody who cares about quality football will relish the chemistry possible at Newcastle who have Carr, Parker, and now Owen (but lose Jermaine Jenas) alongside Alan Shearer as a possible long-term mentor. It will be interesting how Owen and Shearer play together, if ever they do; and how Souness adapts the team's style to factor Owen's abilities in.

Michael Must Play

Despite that Newcastle United are the only ones to meet Real Madrid's transfer terms, one does not see Michael Owen in vertical black & white stripes.

And it is hard to imagine Alan Shearer's, Greame Souness's and Freddy Shepherd's full-court press having any effect on Owen, whose primary wish is to return to Liverpool. Owen would consider loan terms for a year Tyneside, but Newcastle shun the notion.

Gravesen's Good Head

Real Madrid & Denmark's holding midfield meistro, Thomas Gravesen, plays with intelligence, intensity and purpose. And he knows a player when he sees one, preferring that Michael Owen should stay at Real Madrid:

"He is a fantastic player and makes us a better team when he is in it," said Gravesen.

Owen will go back to England -- to either Liverpool or Manchester United -- to get full playing time this World Cup year.

Owen to United, NOT!

The Ausie cricket coach, John Buchanan -- while touring the facilities of Man United -- learned about Sir Alex's disinclination to have Micheal Owen in.

"He talked a little bit about Michael Owen and he doesn't really see his style of play fitting in with Man United, and that's one of the reasons they're not going for him," said Buchanan

That's one clever way to jawbone a player's price down, anyway.

Full Piece by Alex Brown | Guardian Unlimited

Owen to United?

Micheal Owen's possible move from Real Madrid to Manchester United would be good for both parties and England, too.  Wayne Rooney will relish the chance to play in the slot behind Owen who likes to run onto a ball to space.  Rooney, for his part, will enjoy more space created in front of him by the quiet, fleet one.

We also like Park Ji-Sung's drive forward out of midfield.  Menacing, innit?.  Combine this with a more effective Cristiano Rinaldo and United will have mojo.  Lack of a replacement for Keane remains a problem, and Scholes needs to finish.