Alex Ferguson has spewed some interesting quotes in today’s Daily Telegraph interview, some of which hint at his intentions regarding Michael Owen.
Owen made it two goals in two games in yesterday’s 2-0 win over a Malaysia XI and yet Ferguson makes it clear that the scouse legend will be subject to rotation throughout the season. Interestingly, he also does his bit to rev up Carlos Tevez for the kick-off and writes City off as a top four challenger…
On the Owen situation, Ferguson acknowledges that he’s taken a gamble. However, clearly he intends to use his goalscoring talents sparingly, offering us a warning that we can expect continued rotation of the United attack this term…
“We are the one club that can carry him [Owen] because I rotate all the time anyway. I won’t ask him to play every four days. I might only ask him to play every 10 days.”
Sobering words from Ferguson, which could douse the building enthusiasm for Owen as an initial fantasy signing, given his pre-season form to this point. Clearly 30+ starts in the Premier League is a big ask of Owen given Ferguson’s intended rotation policy. The question is, will 25 starts and subs apperances be enough for Owen to warrant the fantasy outlay?
Perhaps City’s Carlos Tevez presents a worthy alternative? Placed in the same Fantasy Premier League price bracket as Owen at 8.5, he to has the threat of rotation hanging over him at City. However, Ferguson’s words today will surely only fire up the Argentinean that little bit more, for a season in which he has a clear point to prove.
“In my opinion, I didn’t think he was worth £25 million.”
Is there a chance that this continued bad feeling between Tevez and United will serve to give City’s new striker the push he needs to increase his goal ratio? Tevez certainly shouldn’t be lacking in motivation.
I also liked the jibe at City, with Ferguson clearly not rating the chances of the Eastland’s revolution threatening the Premier League top four.
“If you analyse City as a team, you’d say, ‘Well, what’s their best team?’. And then you’d say, ‘Where would that go?’ And you’d have to think they’d still struggle to get into the top four, really.”
Finally, there’s a lovely line on the prospect of City signing John Terry, in which Ferguson even goes so far to suggest that City were attempting to tap up the England skipper…
“Apparently they were in the same hotel on holiday weren’t they?”
When questioned on whether he would employ such a strategy, Ferguson retorts…
“I wouldn’t be in the same hotel, that’s for sure! I’d be more discreet!”
It’s well worth a read as a break from the player lists. Soak up the full interview here.