Michael Owen: The hard part is getting a game at Manchester United

08 January 2011 13:43
Michael Owen has no regrets over his decision to join Manchester United. [LNB]Owen has made just 39 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit sinceleaving Newcastle last year, the vast majority as substitute. [LNB]Yet even those outings have been severely restricted after hesuffered a major hamstring injury in last season's Carling Cup final. [LNB] No regrets: Michael Owen happy to have joined United[LNB]Although Owen was introduced from the bench against Stoke on Tuesday, the former England star is being squeezed out by the impressive form of Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez, plus the imposing presence of Wayne Rooney.[LNB] With his two-year contract due to expire in the summer, it is open to serious question whether a player who has now passed his 31st birthday will get another. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson insisted yesterday there had been no discussions on the matter. [LNB]However, ahead of the FA Cup third round tie against former club Liverpool tomorrow, Owen remains happy with life. [LNB]'I knew when I came here that I wouldn't play every game and it would be a bit different to what I was used to,' he said. [LNB]'But I will sacrifice playing every game for the opportunity to play and train with the very top players and work under a top manager. [LNB]'I haven't been disappointed at all by my time here. I have loved every minute.[LNB] 'Obviously you always want to play and do your bit. And I feel as though I have scored a few goals when I've played. [LNB]'At Manchester United, though, the hard part isn't scoring goals on the pitch - it's getting onto the pitch in the first place. [LNB]'It's a new challenge for me and, in many ways, it's one of the appeals of being here.'[LNB] What the back pages say: David Beckham will join Arsenal if Spurs deal falls through but Sir Alex Ferguson not convinced ex-United star will make any impactKing Kenny's back: Anfield legend Dalglish in the hotseat again 20 years after he leftMANCHESTER UNITED FC: All the latest news from across the web[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Alex Ferguson, Michael Owen Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail