Why Michael Owen should leave United

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Owen to get back into the England squad, and I agree with him, however the only way he can do is if he leaves Manchester United.

The two goals Owen scored in United's 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Leeds were clinical and brought back memories of the teenager which burst onto the scene at Anfield.

Since then however Owen has had to settle for a place on the Old Trafford bench, with the returning Danny Welbeck favoured ahead of hm in the 3-3 draw with Basel with Ferguson's favoured strike partnership of Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney recalled for the league game with Norwich. United's fantastic depth of strikers, with Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda also struggling to get a look in, you feel Owen won't get many opportunities.




Owen's chances at United have been limited





With Euro 2012 qualification in England's hands, it represents the last chance for Owen to show he still has the international pedigree which brought him close to Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record. Minus Wayne Rooney for me no centre forward is guaranteed a place in the squad, and with game time Owen has a genuine chance of making the tournament.


The cold facts don't lie however, the boy needs games. With the January transfer window looming, if I was Owen, I'd be knocking on the gaffers door requesting a six month loan spell.

There have been consistent rumours that Owen will join Everton, however the question isn't would he want to move there, its would he suit the Toffees? Owen has already shown he isn't afraid to join Liverpool's closest rivals, I mean he currently wears the red of Manchester United! However I can't see him spearheading a 4-5-1 formation, it wouldn't work.

Where else could he go, Sunderland? Stoke? Villa? Not for me.

Michael Owen has always been at clubs who thrive on their football reputation. You'd do well to find a CV of clubs that reads as well as Owen's: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United.

And for me he deserves his place at a top side, his goal ratio is still fantastic. That's why Arsene Wenger should be taking a gamble on him. Earlier I said he wouldn't suit a 4-5-1 at Everton, however he would suit a 4-2-3-1 at Arsenal.

Robin Van Persie is a fantastic footballer, one thing he isn't is a lone striker. The Dutchman's best position is off a striker. His ability to drop deep when playing up front for Arsenal is as good as anyone in the Premiership. However this leaves a gap in the box to score the goals, and Arsenal haven't had an out and out goalscorer since Thierry Henry, and to a certain extent Emmanuel Adebayor.

Yeah it'd be a gamble, but Arsenal are in the worst position they've been in since Wenger took over. What's the worst that could happen with a six-month loan deal. If he doesn't score goals the club have other striking options. But you can't tell me Owen isn't a better goalscorer then Marouane Chamakh and the new signing Park?

Given a run of games Michael Owen will score any team goals, and at Arsenal he'd definitely get the chances to score and possible fire himself into Fabio Cappello's thoughts.

Who would you rather have baring on goal in a Euro 2012 quarter final match, Michael Owen or Peter Crouch? Exactly.