Evans: Owen gives us a different option

October 28, 2009

Gabriel Obertan and Michael Owen

MANCHESTER United defender Jonny Evans believes Michael Owen is proving he remains a class act.

Owen, a surprise signing from Newcastle in the summer, scored his third goal of the season in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley at Oakwell.

It was a clinical finish as he foxed goalkeeper Luke Steele after he made the most of a delightful ball from Fabio.

Whether Owen, who started on the bench in the defeat by Liverpool, can win a recall to the England squad remains to be seen.

But Evans has no doubts at all about his team-mate's quality and said: "Every time Michael comes on he gets into really good positions.

"He changed the game a bit for us on Sunday. It was the first time we really looked like getting in behind Liverpool.

"It was good for him against Barnsley to get another goal. It was a great finish from him. He made it look easy by passing the ball into the corner."

Evans is also predicting a bright future for 18-year-old striker Danny Welbeck, who opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

Welbeck came off in the second half and is having a scan on the knee injury he suffered.

Evans said: "Danny is improving all the time and learning from the first team lads.

Welbeck talent

"He is a fantastic talent and can go all the way. He is so hard to play against. He has great skill as well."

Despite his night ending on a sour note it could not dampen Welbeck's mood of elation at securing a place in the last eight of the competition.

Welbeck scored the winner against Wolves in the third round and was part of the United side that lifted the trophy last season when they defeated Tottenham.

He said: "It is great to get further in the cups. I'm already looking forward to the quarter-finals. We'll certainly enjoy it and do our best.

"We controlled the game against Barnsley in the second half. The youngsters did well and the experienced players in the team helped us massively."

United's rising stars are also versatile as Rafael proved against the Coca-Cola Championship side.

The Brazilian was switched from full-back to a central midfield role and looked comfortable in that position.

However, his polished performance came as no surprise to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: "Darron Gibson was injured so we didn't have many options. Rafael trains with the first team all the time, he's mobile and quick enough with good feet."

Ferguson added: "Playing away from home in a cup tie is a completely different experience from playing at Old Trafford.

"Last year we had some good home draws and it was good experience for the lads."

What is your verdict on Owen's start for United? Have your say.

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Gilly, Belgium (29/10/2009 at 09:06)

Give him time on the field n he can only get better and have the opportunity to score , come on SAF !

stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 09:19)

I agree I think he needs more time on the field, drop Berbatov to the bench and put Owen in with Rooney. I'm sure you'll get a better goal ration per game plus he keeps the defense on their toes because of his moment & positioning. Berbatov doesn't do that because he's often too deep.

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 09:56)

Watching Arsenal last night you could see it was the speed that got to Liverpool,we had Giggs Schoes ans Carrick plus a shaky Rio.
Fergie should have started with Obertan and if he tired replaced him with Tosic.
Also Fabio or Raphael or Delaet would have given us so much more pace than John O,Shea could offer Anderson should have been in the midfield.

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 10:27)

The picture of Owen and Obertan all smiles is in stark contrast to the photo of RIO even little Tosic is harder to get off the ball than him.
Berbtov will play a key role for United Fergie will not admit he may have paid to much,I think the real problem is they system United are playing is wrong with both he and Rooney playing far to deep.

stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 10:34)

danny, WILMSLOW 29/10/2009 at 09:56 lets not forget this wasn't the same Liverpool side we played against....

I think Obertan has a lot of potential but lets give him a couple of more games before we start getting him involved at the sharp end, Tosic doesn't look ready to be thrown in the deep end yet.....I think Delaet showed his inexperience a little the other night but either of the twins could and should replace O'Shea....
Valencia has pace but we're not using it effectively at the moment as we're always making passes to him rather than in the space in front of him so he can take the ball at speed and get in behind the defender......a bit off subject there but I think Owen would benifit more because he's always 10 yards further up the field than Berbatov.

Gerry, Glastonbury (29/10/2009 at 11:03)

I remain unconvinced or need convincing! Certainly the end of the season is the time to judge, when the lad has had a fair crack of the whip. His goal on Tuesday was brilliant and as good as any United goal this season. However, he has missed a glut of much easier chances already and his outfield play has not particularly caught my eye.
A very useful addition thus far that could prove an inspired choice – we’ll see.

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 13:16)

Owen knows where to be and so did Ruud in the goal area not to deep he is a winner and thats what all United players must be.I would Like to see Obertan get a go against Blackburn also one of the twins.

Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 15:38)

What is obvious is that Michael Owen is a natural forward and he continuously gets into good positions - often too good for his team mates, who delay the pass or don't see where the ball needs to be played. I'm sure SAF is right when he predicts Owen will score 15 goals+ this year. Unfortunately, Owen has lost that yard of pace which made him a world class goalscorer and his contribution, other than in the opposition's box, is non-existent. He is still way off in confidence terms and still needs to build up that aspect as best he can. All in all, he is likely to be a bit player against the top sides unless he can get back to a level closer to that he enjoyed at Real or with Liverpool. I cannot see him making the England squad for South Africa. He was, and remains, a useful signing as a 'free' and he may even help to show Danny Wellbeck, Kiko Macheda and Joshua King how to create space in the box. Believe me, that is an art in itself - we haven't had anyone since Ruud who could regularly tap in goals because of his positioning skills.

bobbydazzler (29/10/2009 at 19:39)

danny

rio has hit a patch of shaky form and i am sure it is more to do with fitness than anything else .

if cannot see what a great player he has been at united then you are dimmer than i thought.

was he not an integral part of the defence that managed to squeeze out 11- 1-0 wins in the autumn last year that broke the spirit of some of our opponents.

Brian S (30/10/2009 at 06:06)

I was delighted when we got Owens. He has the football nous to play a key role whether its from off the bench or starting. Over the next season or two he will teach our young lads how to do it. I thought 20+ goals this year, maybe a little optimistic but SAF's 15+ looks achievable

Frank Old Trafford (30/10/2009 at 08:59)

I've been backing Owen from the moment we signed him so I won't go on about it again, just that given a chance he'll be a winner. When I see him find space in a crowded area I'm alweays left wondering how he does it, Roo and Berba never find so much space. We just need to get the ball to him in those good positions and once he's getting chances the goals will come.

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