Source: FOOTYMAD
Owen admits England dream is over
Michael Owen has given up hope of resurrecting his England career under Fabio Capello. The striker, 31, has been a peripheral figure for Manchester United this season and has not featured for the Three Lions since the friendly against France in March 2008. "I was disappointed for the first squad I missed, a little bit less for the next one and after about three or four times, I didn't really expect to see my name," he told The Guardian. “For the first couple of squads I looked at the players [named] and looked at what I had done. For the last dozen squads, I haven't looked. I don't even think about [being picked] now. Honestly. "If I keep getting up for something, then [find out] I am not in, I am just kidding myself." Owen scored 40 times in 89 appearances for his country. His career has not brought the silverware his talent merited, but he finally claimed a Premier League winners medal his season with the Red Devils. He could even get his hands on the Champions League trophy on Saturday if he makes the United squad to face Barcelona in the final. His contract comes to an end this summer, and he is keen to stay at Old Trafford despite finding first-team opportunities limited. He has scored 13 times in 47 appearances for the club. “I want to stay because Manchester United is a fantastic club,” he said. “You can drop your level and play more regularly in a team that is not of as high a standard as Manchester United. “Your level stays high when you are training with top players and you enjoy your football much more when you are playing in a good team. “I have certainly enjoyed my time here even though I haven’t played as much this year and I have still felt part of it. I have played in 11 Premier League games and qualified for a medal and loved every minute of it.”
