Souness brought Owen to St James' Park for £17m four years ago but the move turned sour for the England striker following a succession of injuries and the club's relegation at the end of last season.
Owen's stock in the game has never been lower and he has been frozen out of the England squad under Fabio Capello despite an impressive strike rate of 40 goals in 89 international appearances.
While doubts persists over the 29-year-old's fitness and the wisdom of the deal done by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Souness believes his fellow Scot has pulled a masterstroke.
"I don't think Michael is shot. It's a really good transfer for all concerned," Souness said.
"I think the move will excite him and give him whole new lease of life
"He was Newcastle's top player at the time and all of that onus was on him. At United he will be just another player and surrounded by really good team-mates who can give him the service he needs.
"He will also be in the best environment in terms of treatment off the field and that is important to any player of his age."
Commenting on Ferguson's gamble, he added: "I think this is a smart deal for him. It's a clever one especially when there are not too many available targets out there.
"In fact this could easily be the deal of the season if it works out for him."
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Free Red, Manchester (05/07/2009 at 15:17)
Ain't that the truth. Bring on Real Madrid.
Bill Wirral (05/07/2009 at 15:52)
paul leigh (05/07/2009 at 15:56)
Respect Mr Souness, respect.
(P.S. when you played you were dirty though, haven't forgotten that!)
si 4 kop, Runcorn (05/07/2009 at 16:52)
Its selective about whether he makes sense or not with you. If you like what he says? It makes sense. If you dont, then he is just another ex scouse so n so talking rubbish isnt he.
Last week it didnt make sense to sign Michael Owen when you was close to signing Benzema. But this week he is probably the best striker in the world isnt he?
Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (05/07/2009 at 17:26)
Hopefully, the end result of Owen joining you lot will be exactly the same, you have all enjoyed dining at Europes top table for many a year feasting on ala carte football menus, with this signing it looks like it might be Burger King or Pizza Hut from now on - Bon Appetite!
paul leigh (05/07/2009 at 17:33)
5/07/2009 at 16:52
Sorry mate I haven't the faintest idea what you are on about with Souness.
I just like the fact that he does not shout the usual bile at us.
Wasn't even thinking about Owen a week ago and he is definately not the best striker in the world. I just think his circumstances may fit us like a glove. As for Benzema, I didn't realise we were that close.
You seem to have an opinion about me and you don't even know me. Can't undertsand why you are making this so personal.
Cheetham Manchester (05/07/2009 at 17:37)
Utd never bid for Benzema so how were they close to signing him?I do understand you are bored as the bin-dippers are bidding on NO-ONE...as for Souness he signed Ali Dia so I listen to nothing he says.
tooth&claw, manchester (05/07/2009 at 18:10)
bernie , manchester (05/07/2009 at 18:55)
JImmy Heaton Moor (05/07/2009 at 19:28)
ibblyobbly, nottingham (05/07/2009 at 19:45)
each season gets tougher for a variety of reasons, so each win gets a bit more special, this year no exception. So somtimes strange decisions have to be made, my judgement will be made at the end of the season.
Red Apache, Didsbury (05/07/2009 at 19:45)
Red Apache, Didsbury (05/07/2009 at 19:53)
If you hear the Owen interview he says Tuedsday (30th June) contract expired, Wednesady (1st July) started speaking to clubs. Got a phone call from Sir Alex to meet up for Breakfast next morning (2nd July, Owen asumed to talk about Horse Racing or Golf).
Benzema deal broke out Wednesday night that Real Madrid had signed him up. Its true he turned us down but that doesnt mean Owen was Benzema's replacment. Owen was going to be signed up if we had got Benzema anyway.
Forget us what have you been doing in the Transfer market? Do you guys have any money to spend? Or you waiting for Alonso and Mascherano to be sold to raise cash.
si 4 kop, Runcorn (05/07/2009 at 20:33)
Sorry, i understand you were being reasonable with your comments and i apologise. I wasnt refering to you as a individual i was refering to you all collectively. I do believe Benzema has said he turned you down according to Skysports and that you turned to another target as a result of it.
T&C. I dont think Rafa Benitez wants to sell Alonso or Mascherano at all! I think you want us to sell Alonso and Mascherano though!lol. Liverpool did released a statement on our website saying they were not for sale but as ive said before, if a silly bid comes in from either Barca or Real and he thinks the players can be replaced im sure it would be considered. Its not like we are trying to replace the best player in the world is it???ha
I think if Michael Owen had the choice he would have joined Liverpool. I think for this reason i might start to consider forgiving him alittle bit but only when he has put his Man Utd shirt down, until that day he is the enemy and will be treated as hostile. Some Liverpool fans will never forgive him. He will have to confront his past in a press conference because he cant run away from it.
From a purely football point of view i didnt want him back. Im not sure if we have the facilities to accommodate his needs and i certainly dont have the patience for him. Id rather pay out for a player who we can rely on to be ready for action. His return would have been for sentimental reasons. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise if United dont follow up a interest in another striker, who knows.
the fox, fox hole (05/07/2009 at 20:33)
Sparky was the best ever (05/07/2009 at 20:40)
Sparky was the best ever (05/07/2009 at 20:53)
United didn't become the cream of the crop because some wealthy outsider decided to throw money at United until they won something. United has grown and achieved success through good management, good football and an ever growing fan base. What have city done, except be so bad, some Thai criminal could buy them, then offload them on the cheap to a raghead with so much money, he can afford to lose a few hundred million on a bargain basement premier league team.
John Gidman (05/07/2009 at 20:58)
Has everyone forgotten about his terrible tackle on Ronnie Johnsen? The Stretford End hasn't.
danny, WILMSLOW (05/07/2009 at 22:48)
Lets face it many new faces are needed including a new manager!
bobbyc, Manchester (05/07/2009 at 23:30)
United have won three Championships on the bounce, Carling Cup , A European Champions cup ,and Finalists,World Club Cup.What more do "supporters" like you want?
As for Dukinfield Blue ,The Town FC @Blocksages are missing you .You surely cannot be a true Bertie as you arent from Manchester like all city fans are supposedly live.
World-wide-United, Not-in-wasteland (06/07/2009 at 00:13)
or fabiano,, and also they should sign a replacement for scholes
what happened to chris eagles,,,will he stay in burnly or will come back to united?
Serge, Europe (06/07/2009 at 01:08)
Ashley young, a proven winger in the Prem, a future England star, pace, dribbling, set piece delivery...why no linkage...mad
and finally, not everyones favorite, and maybe a bit far fetched, but Fabregas is available for 35-40 million, he might not want to come, he might not be the right fit (and Barca are his future destination despite the fact theyve already got two world class spanish midfielders running the show there) but he is pure class, and if Fergie really has cash to spend, which is highly debatable, seeing as were not signing any world class players for whatever reason (and yeah, Owen deal I think is good, but hes not world class, hes a fox in the box when fit, so quite pleased with the deal, but Fergie saying he is world class makes me cringe a little especially as it seems to justify not spending on a true world class player...)
Savant, Singapore (06/07/2009 at 03:22)
Raju, Katmandu (06/07/2009 at 05:42)
Big head has been gifted a title by Roddick and SAf has been gifted everything that he has ever won and you are the only person in the world who has earned everyt hing he's got.
Many faces needed? No. The faces that we have at United are good enough. The only change we need is in your attitude. You and your Mushhhty and F.er Hasn't a Clue. Been following United since 1956 indeed!
the-don, south africa (06/07/2009 at 06:41)