Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United star Michael Owen insists: I'm on my way back to top form
England coach Fabio Capello suggested last week that the subject of a possible international recall for Michael Owen is one that has begun to torment him. It would appear, though, that the feeling is not mutual.[LNB]Owen's desire to add to his 89 England caps is not in doubt. Nor is the quality he would bring to a squad not exactly replete with world-class centre forwards, were he to be fully fit and in form.[LNB]However, as Owen prepared to deputise for new father Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in the Champions League, he revealed that the subject of a return to the England ranks is no longer something that occupies his mind.[LNB] Enlarge United we stand: Michael Owen trains with Paul Scholes ahead of the Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow[LNB]Asked if a good performance against CSKA Moscow tonight would help his England chances, Owen said: 'Yeah, I suppose so. You have to be careful what you say in case your words get twisted. But it's not something I really think about now.[LNB]'The last squad I was in was a year ago, so it's something you lot [the media] probably talk about a lot more than I think about.[LNB]'I'd like to play for England again, that's the bottom line. But if I do I do, if I don't, I don't.'But first things first - I want to play well and score goals for Manchester United.[LNB]'I don't go to bed thinking if I score it could possibly influence England. England can take care of itself.'[LNB]Owen's public utterances have been a little peculiar since United gave him the opportunity to resurrect his career after his release from Newcastle United in thesummer. More often than not, he has appeared touchy and defensive.[LNB] Focus: Owen says he wants to concentrate on playing well for Manchester United [LNB]Only last week after a superbly taken goal against Barnsley, he appeared to complainabout the marks out of 10 he had been getting in newspapers.[LNB]At times, it has all appeared somewhat churlish from a man who has generally been so feted throughout his football career.[LNB]On Monday, however, Owen was on much better form. Articulate and reasonable, he seemed in a much more amiable frame of mind as he continues to find his way gently at a club that could yet give him some immensely rewarding years.[LNB]Owen, 29, said: 'I have never said I don't feel appreciated. That's not what I meant.[LNB]'After the game at Barnsley someone said I had played well and scored a good goal. I just said that I don't think it takes a goal for me to play well.[LNB]'I thought I played much better the previous game at home to Bolton. I didn't score and I missed a couple of chances. I thought I was average against Barnsley but I scored. But that's how my career has gone, I guess.[LNB]'If I don't score then people say I haven't played well, and if I score then people think I have played well.[LNB] Enlarge Pure delight: Michael Owen celebrates his goal for United at Barnsley last week[LNB]'It is strange but then I am not particularly bothered about it.'[LNB]Last week's goal at Oakwell certainly seemed to suggest that Owen is now finding his feet at Old Trafford. His last Champions League appearance - at home to the German club Wolfsburg - ended prematurely when he felt a twitch in his groin. This time he ishoping for better.[LNB]Having sacked their coach, Juande Ramos, in the wake of United's win in Russia a fortnight ago and a 3-1 derby defeat, CSKA are not expected to provide particularly stern opposition in the Group B clash as United seek the victory that will maintain their 100 per cent group record and comfortably see them through to the knockout stage with two games to spare.[LNB]Ramos, the former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Sevilla coach, lasted just 47 days in charge of CSKA and he has now been replaced by the rather less well knownLeonid Slutsky, a former goalkeeper who had to abandon his career after just 13 games following an accident that saw him fall out of a tree.[LNB] Still the main man: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with assistant Mike Phelan during training on Monday[LNB]His team can expect to face an under-strength United team. Sir AlexFerguson's squad has been hit by injuries to Nemanja Vidic, RioFerdinand, Ryan Giggs, Ji-sung Park and Dimitar Berbatov - and theyhave Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea at StamfordBridge to think about.[LNB]Central defender Ferdinand continues to be troubled by a calf problem and Ferguson appeared to suggest the 30-year-old would not be ready for the London game.[LNB]'I have no worries about Sunday in terms of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans,' he said. 'I have absolutely no worries.'[LNB]Having reacted tetchily last Friday when asked about Ferdinand's poor form, Ferguson was asked about a suggestion from former England manager Graham Taylor over the weekend that the defender may be past his best.[LNB] 'In my time here, we've always had a situation where one of the star players hits a little blip and he is going to get criticism,' said the United manager, altogether more reasonably.[LNB]'That's all part of being a player at Manchester United and I think we are all aware of that.[LNB]'With Rio, it's quite simple. No player likes to be criticised. They liked to be loved and have arms around their shoulders at times, but he will come out of it, there is no question about that.[LNB]'There is no discernible depreciation in his qualities, none for me at all. Playing with injuries is not the easiest thing to do, but of course we will try to get that right.'[LNB] Wayne Rooney is a dad! Manchester United star misses training to be with Coleen for the birth of their first son KaiUnited and Chelsea set to miss out as Bayern secure cash to keep RiberyMANCHESTER UNITED FC
