Source: Daily_Mail
Michael Owen has given up on playing for England again
Share[LNB]Michael Owen has given up hope of being selected for England by Fabio Capello.[LNB]The 31-year-old striker, a peripheral figure for Manchester United, has not featured for the Three Lions since playing in a friendly against France in March 2008.[LNB]He said: '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.[LNB]'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.[LNB]'It's sad, really. If I keep getting up for something, then [find out] I am not in, I am just kidding myself.'[LNB] Giving up the ghost: Michael Owen playing for England in Austria back in 2007[LNB]At the peak of his powers, Owen, who has 40 international goals to his name, was widely expected to overtake the England record of 49 held by Sir Bobby Charlton, but it is an ambition the former Liverpool striker has abandoned.[LNB]Owen added: 'I am not going to kid myself. Every time I saw him I was "closing on your record, Sir Bobby". [LNB]'Now I just see him for who he is: a great man.'[LNB]Owen, who picked up the first Barclays Premier League title medal of his career on Sunday and scored United's final league goal of the season during the 4-2 win over Blackpool, confirmed his desire to stay at Old Trafford.[LNB]Owen seems certain to be disappointed in his hopes to grab a place on the bench for Saturday's Champions League final, meaning he might well have played his last game for the club.[LNB] On target: Owen scores United's final league goal of the season against Blackpool last weekend[LNB]The 31-year-old's two-season contract expires this summer and with Danny Welbeck due to return from his loan spell at Sunderland, it appears highly unlikely he will be offered another.[LNB]However, Owen intends to speak with Sir Alex Ferguson after this weekend's showpiece and would love to hear some good news.[LNB]'I want to stay because Manchester United is a fantastic club,' he said. 'I have to find out in the coming week or two and I will be speaking to the manager.[LNB]'This is an important week so there is no point discussing my future with him now, but we will have a chat after the season is over.'[LNB]Owen has made 47 appearances, mostly as a substitute, scoring 13 goals. In addition, he also started last season's Carling Cup triumph over Aston Villa, although it was a hamstring injury suffered in that game that hampered Owen at the start of this season.[LNB] Dream team: Owen (right) lined up as part of the United team at Gary Neville's testimonial[LNB]'You can drop your level and play more regularly in a team that is not of as high a standard as Manchester United,' observed Owen. 'But your level stays high when you are trainingwith top players and you enjoy your football much more when you are playing in a good team. [LNB]'I have played in 11 Premier League games and qualified for a medal and loved every minute of it.'[LNB]Meanwhile Owen has made the extraordinary confession that Javier Hernandez is a better version of him. [LNB]Expected to be a bit-part player initially when he arrived from Mexican outfit Chivas, the 22-year-old has been singled out as the buy of the season by most observers. His 20 goals have bounced him right into Ferguson's plans this weekend, when the only reason he would be left on the bench was if the United boss felt he needed extra midfield reinforcements. [LNB] Michael Owen version II: The England veteran admits Javier Hernandez (right) is a superior player right now[LNB] Owen does not believe Hernandez has the same approach as he had during the early part of his career. However, as injuries have forced the former Liverpool star to adapt his own game, he feels the similarities are now obvious, except Hernandez is better. [LNB] 'He is a sharper version of what I am now,' said Owen. 'When you buy a player you hope he is going to be a permanent fixture in the team but I don't think anyone could have envisaged it being so soon. [LNB]'The instinctiveness of his play inside the box to sniff out chances is impressive and he is a cracking finisher.[LNB] 'He has played and scored in the World Cup and in a Champions League semi-final, which would suggest he can handle the big stage. That is important at a club like this.' [LNB] Sir Bobby Charlton: I played with Moore, Best and Law, and against Pele. But Duncan Edwards was the greatestBeckham and Giggs take centre stage at Neville's Manchester United bowUnited boss Ferguson hints at done deal for Atletico Madrid stopper De Gea[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Michael Owen, Fabio Capello, Danny Welbeck Places: Liverpool, France, United Kingdom
