Michael Owen not only struck the winner in the Manchester derby, but he has also struck it deep with the Manchester United supporters as well.
When you score for United you become endeared, but when you come from an arch-rival like Owen did, it will take a little more to win over the supporters.
The former Liverpool man did just that, by snatching the all-important goal against Manchester City deep into stoppage time in front of the Stretford End to prove that he is a true Red.
His ability and wherewithal has been under extreme scrutiny following his free transfer from Newcastle this summer, and many supporters and pundits wondered how and where he would contribute to United’s success this season.
It is said that Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a gamble on the former England international, but his proven goalscoring record at the highest levels for both club and country make it a win, win opportunity for United.
Mark Hughes highly-criticized United for not reinforcing their squad following the departures of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but he quickly found out first hand, that United have a squad of players that can match any team on any day.
Proven
His professional career kicked off in 1997 at the tender age of 17, but despite his lack of height, he became an immense figure for Liverpool, and went onto make 300 appearances and scored 160 goals for United’s arch-nemesis.
In 2004, he left Anfield for what seemed to be greener pastures in Spain when he signed for Real Madrid. He found life difficult in Spain, and only spent one season there, but during his time there he tallied 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Bernabeu club.
He decided to move back to England in £16 million move to Newcastle. He caught a nasty injury bug which limited him 26 goals in 71 appearances during his four seasons at St. James Park.
He also made a name for himself on the international level at 18 as well. He scored one of the greatest-ever goals against Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Although he has not received a call up for international duty in over two years, Owen has already gone onto collect 89 caps for England, and is fourth all-time with 40 goals scored (nine behind Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton).
The pesky little striker has a knack for scoring crucial goals, and will look to adding to his two tallies, and as Ferguson has said, there is no reason that Owen cannot score 15 goals for United this season.
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