ALL CHANGE ... for Utd boss Ferguson SELECTION RESTED his key men but took no chances. With Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov picked it was clear Fergie did not want any more embarrassment following the 6-1 defeat to Man City. Nemanja Vidic showed them what they were missing Sunday. SORTED? YES ATTITUDE UNITED could have trotted out all the old excuses if they slipped up on this banana sk...Full Story »

Bruv ... Michael Owen THE brother of Man United star Michael Owen sparked a police inquiry after he placed a bet on Wayne Rooney pledging his future to the club just 60 MINUTES before the deal was done. Aicraft fitter Terry Owen, 40, bet £200 at odds of 7-2 after Rooney threatened to quit the Red Devils last October. There is no suggestion Rooney knew anything about the gamble. At the t...Full Story »

Michael Owen would like to play more but is revelling in his role as one of Manchester United's elder statesmen. For such a private man Michael Owen has fought a lot of public battles recently, abandoning his natural reserve to confront widespread condescension. By fighting back, and arguing his case with words and goals, Owen has developed a new purpose, and placed a fresh shine on a career t...Full Story »

MICHAEL OWEN says he feels more nerves and pressure now than at any time in his career.You would not think it after the Manchester United striker marked his first appearance of the season on Tuesday with two goals in 32 minutes at Leeds. But nowadays Owen knows if he does not perform when he gets the chance, he could have weeks to dwell on it. And that is proving tougher than when Liverpool ...Full Story »

ALEX FERGUSON hailed Michael Owen as "still one of the best finishers in the business" after his Carling Cup double.Owen, 31, struck twice and Ryan Giggs, 37, added the other as Fergie's Premier League leaders destroyed Leeds by half time. And it left Fergie drooling: "Michael is still fantastic when it comes to putting the ball in the net. "I'm very pleased for him that he's got another cou...Full Story »

KIDS ARE ALRIGHT ... Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling are two of the young stars to emerge SO perhaps there WILL be something to thank Fabio Capello for. That he finally ended the closed shop, caps-for-the-boys mentality that allowed the so-called Golden Generation to laud it for so long. The hugely influential inner circle that saw David Beckham and trusty lieutenants Michael Owen, Rio Ferdi...Full Story »

OFF TO A FLYER ... Franco Coria dives to stop Wayne Rooney - but United still walked it in Boston MICHAEL OWEN gave Alex Ferguson a timely reminder in Boston of just why he should be given more first team football this coming season.Owen scored the final goal of their historic title winning campaign last season when he came on as a substitute to complete a 4-2 win over Blackpool.Last night in...Full Story »

Manchester United on Wednesday handed striker Michael Owen a surprise new one year contract extension in a move that may cast doubt on Dimitar Berbatov's future with the Premier League champions. Sir Alex Ferguson, who awarded the 31-year-old Owen a place on the bench for last Saturday's Champions League final ahead of Berbatov, said: "Michael has proved to be a top footballer. "It is unfort...Full Story »

• Striker unlikely to be offered contract extension• 'I have loved every minute … hopefully it can continue' Michael Owen is hopeful of extending his stay at Manchester United, despite a summer overhaul being on the cards at Old Trafford. Michael Owen has told Manchester United he has no desire to leave the club despite the chief executive, David Gill, confirming there will ...Full Story »

MICHAEL OWEN has hit back at the Toon Army for branding him 'greedy' on his return to Newcastle. The Manchester United hitman was subjected to a vicious reception after coming on as an 81st-minute substitute on Tuesday night. Some felt it was as hostile as anything heard at St James' Park in recent times as the home crowd took out their frustrations on the ex-England striker — with one...Full Story »