It was 2003 and Owen's 86th-minute strike put the seal on a 2-0 win and marked another highlight in a career that had hitherto known almost only success.
Wind the clock forward seven years and the striker has hopes of leading the line for United at Wembley on Sunday, if not England at this summer's World Cup.
Owen sent out a reminder to Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday with a coolly taken goal in the 3-0 win against West Ham - but his failure to hold down a regular first team place at Old Trafford has forced him to all but admit defeat in his bid to break into Fabio Capello's squad.
The Carling Cup has been a stage on which Ferguson has given him the chance to impress this season - not least his outstanding solo strike against Barnsley in the fourth round - and if given the nod against Aston Villa, it could be his last shot at ending the season with a flourish.
Teddy Sheringham saw his United career turn around in the space of a week in 1999 when scoring as a substitute in the FA Cup and Champions League finals to help United win the treble.
And he believes there is still time for Owen to reignite his chances at United and make a late bid for South Africa.
"If Michael played the next four or five games and scored three or four goals then all of a sudden he's back in the good books and you'd have him in the squad," he said.
It is easy to understand why Owen, who scored after coming off the bench against West Ham last night, feels his England chance has passed him by.
Despite his late derby winner against City and Champions League hat-trick against Wolfsburg, he has continued to be overlooked in the starting XI by Ferguson.
With the United manager now preferring a 4-3-2-1 system, Owen's chances look even more limited.
It's no wonder he's so negative about his international future, if not about his chances at Old Trafford.
"It's been a long time since I was in the England squad," he said. "You never give up but it's probably a long shot in racing terms, but it's been great at United."
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Owen has received some very unfair criticism on these pages. A great European hat trick, some excellent goals and it was worth signing him for nothing else other than that goal against City.
I am surprised he has not had more playing time and also surprised at fans expectations when he comes on for an occasional cameo role.If I was the opposition I would not welcome the site of Michael Owen coming on.
It's nailed on that Owen will play a part at Wembley,More likely from the bench than the starting line-up, Be nice to see Dunne pick up a medal too...sadly for him a losers medal.
The truth is Dublinred he is well past it like the majority of your players. Fergo is now busting his guts to get Scholes, Giggs and Van de Saar to sign because quite frankly the younger ones coming through are not good enough.
Add to that Ferdinand is almost done (and Capello should start looking for a new captain) Vidic will leave because his wife says he will, Oh I forgot about 'Chuckle', then again everyone else has!.
Berbaflop will leave because he is obviously not happy here (You might not get £30 Million for him though he, he)
You have got one class player though and god help your team if he either gets injured or the Glazers decide to sell him.
Don't forgot lads don't buy the meat pies in the ground - take your own sarnies.
Arguing with a scouser.....
How many goals and assists does Valancia have this season?
Erm, not sure if I'll be the first to point out the 2003 Worthington Cup final was in Cardiff.
has he got a ticket ha ha ha ha.
Couldn't agree more Dublinred, he has played well in the games he has played and his goal return has been pretty good, he just needs a decent run in the team, and also who drops a player after scoring a hat trick and then plays one up front at home, like Fergie did against Aston Villa, so he's got to shoulder some of the blame. I thought he would play more and hope he does in the future. As for
England when you have rubbish like Crouch, Heskey and even talk of Bobby Zamora in the squad, you know England are scraping bottom of the barrel and he should be on the plane pure and simple.
A 'bit part player' well past his best. Ok to bring on though against the lesser teams like Bolton, Blackburn and City when we are 3 up.
Once a devil...God you dont half talk rubbish, still bitter i see....It could have been your lot travelling down at the weekend, but it aint..build a bridge, get over it, the brighter side from Manchester are travelling...enjoy it on tv mate!!
REDRAW-an argument between a scouser and a clay kicker that could be riveting.
To suggest Owen will make the World Cup is absolutely crazy.First and foremost the only reason he scored last night because most of the West Ham players had stood still waiting for the referee to stop the game when it appeared Noble was down injured.Furthermore he has had vey few games so as a consequence his goal tally is low but apart from his plundered hat trick a few weeks ago he looks a million miles away from the plater he was and I am sure Capello wont take him to South Africa because with Downing as his fifth striker this lad can also be utilised in midfield.
However I now think Fabio may have more serious problems to deal with and one that springs to mind is the fitness of Rio Ferdinand,not only has he missed a huge chunk of PL games for United he has once again broke down with the back spasm. I think Capello should start looking for a new skipper never mind a replacement because Rio has serious injury problems apart from his lack of match fitness hmmmmm sounds a bit like Michael Owen doesn't it?
Once a 'devil', now a Canary., Tick...Tock.
QUATER FINAL CHAMPIONS LAGUE, 1 POINT BEHIND CHELSEA IN SECOND PLACE, CUP FINAL THIS SUNDAY, WON PREMIER LEAGUE FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. NOT BAD FOR A TEAM WITH ONLY 1CLASS PLAYER. OH YES ALSO WIPED THE FLOOR WITH YOUR MOB TWICE AT HOME. AND WOULD OF DONE THE SAME AT YOUR PLACE WITHOUT THAT REFEREE.
"The truth is Dublinred he is well past it like the majority of your players."
I guess making up the truth makes it more fun. The truth? The bitters can't handle the truth. Outfought and outclassed by a team of "past it" players. Yep, that's City.
Season
Top scorer
Total goals
Goals scored after 27 games
2009-2010
Wayne Rooney 23*
23
2008-2009
Nicolas Anelka
19
15
2007-2008
Cristiano Ronaldo
31
25
2006-2007 Didier Drogba 20 11
2005-2006 Thierry Henry
27 22
2004-2005 Thierry Henry 25 19
2003-2004 Thierry Henry 30 21
2002-2003 Ruud van Nistelrooy 25 15
2001-2002 Thierry Henry 24 20
2000-2001 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 23 16
1999-2000 Kevin Phillips 30 25
It would be great to see michael owen get on the pitch and score and go to SA !
8 goals in 10 starts for United (league and cups). Its not that bad.
I'd let him place the water bottles in the technical area but that should be the extent of his contribution on Sunday. MLS beckons Mickey.
Sorry but me me Michael has not done anywhere near enough to make the starting eleven and out a more deserving player. The subs' bench is fine and where he'll end up - I've no problem with that.
As for England - no chance! There's just too many ahead of him. I'd even place Zamora ahead of him.
There's Rooney, Hesky, Cole, Crouch and especially Defoe way in front of Michael. There's simply no place left for him.
How can people talk about Heskey, Crouch or Bent for the World Cup? We are talking about the World Cup for god's sake. None of them are good enough. I'd take Rooney, Owen and Defoe and one more. Hell, I'd take Nugent before Heskey Bent or Crouch. If Nugent ever played for a good team he'd get goals by the hatful.
Whilst playing for England may be on the mind of one or two Utd players,to be honest I could'nt give a monkey's! The priority is the next game and that just happens to be a Cup Final so pardon me but let's leave the World Cup out of the Utd pages!
We have The Villans on Sunday and will have to be at our best to counter the pace of Young and Agbon!
Should be interesting to see how many Reds will be wearing the green and gold but on a more pertinent level...sincerely hope that the 34th anniversary(to the day) is highlighted and celebrated by the massed ranks of the Red Army! Such opportunity's are too good to miss and as they enter their 35th year of trophyless anonimity..the 34yr chant should be consigned to history!
What Cappello has to look at is the way he runs off the ball into space to recieve the ball. Don't forget that Englands midfield is a lot better than Man. U's deadwood midfield. Unless of course he picks Carrick. The way Scholesy picked Owen out last was classic. He just needs someone with Scholes's vision.
I think MO will make the subs bench on Sunday because there is always a chance he will score a goal to win it or save it, and he'll handle the occasion better than Diouf. That doesn't mean he's just as likely to do it for England, so I don't expect him to make the plane to S Africa. Having said that, if Bent and Zamora are better than him I'll show my posterior in Kendals.
ted knott, droylsden
24/02/2010 at 12:48
Don't know Ted, Michael could make a fine impact player for England.
We'll have to see, but somehow I don't see him making it based on his lack of first starts. That said, he's done everything we took him on for, so he's been a bargain in my books.
35years
More chance of appearing at Wembley than any of the Bertie mercenaries.