Source: Manchester_EveningNews
David Sadler column
I AM absolutely certain there will not be any beach balls floating around the penalty areas at Anfield on Sunday, but Michael Owen could do with one or two freak goals going in on his old stomping ground against Liverpool.
The United striker looks in need of a run of goals to get his personal season really underway. You hoped the dramatic late derby winner against City might do it, but he is still having one of those spells for a goal scorer when he needs a lucky break.
With England squad talk and South Africa speculation very much in the air last week after the end of the World Cup qualifiers Michael could have done with a good weekend in front of goal against Bolton.
But again it didn't quite happen for him and instead of his name being on everyone's lips as they assess candidates for next summer in Fabio Capello's squad, the talk was more of a few chances going begging.
In horse racing parlance, and as a keen owner and watcher of the Sport of Kings, Michael will understand that in terms of getting a ticket for that plane to South Africa next June he is not among the favourites.
Owen prospects
Coming into the final straight he is lagging behind and in desperate need of making up some ground.
I am confident that by the end of the season we will be reflecting on his first season at Old Trafford and saying what a brilliant piece of business it was on Sir Alex Ferguson's part to snap him up as a free agent.
But whether he will have done enough for us to be saying he has to go to the World Cup is another matter. He has got an awful lot to do to make it. There is still time, but he has to start converting his chances on a more regular basis.
Michael won't be put off by the debate that is going to surround him all campaign.
As an experienced striker he has lived on that knife-edge throughout his career. Having his stats analysed is nothing new to him and he knows that he'll be a hero and villain throughout the season.
To become a more regular hero and give himself a chance of South Africa and close that gap on his rivals he has to score more. His movement and ability to find space is still excellent. The Michael Owen pre-injuries had pace that set him aside. Having the speed to beat defenders like he did in France 98 against Argentina was phenomenal.
Injuries have taken the edge off that. But he has the knowledge and intelligence to make up for that loss of explosive pace by creating space for himself. He is still a striker of great quality. When his efforts start slipping the right side of the post then he will be galloping up that final straight.
But it has to happen soon and in Moscow tomorrow night or even more especially at Liverpool on Sunday would be a perfect way to begin motoring.
