Owen - I can handle pressure

19 July 2009 09:38
Michael Owen is hoping to show he can handle the pressure at Manchester United by filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. Owen was a shock capture for the Premier League champions on a free transfer after leaving relegated Newcastle United at the end of last season. The 29-year-old striker opened his United scoring account on his debut against a Malaysia XI on Saturday. Ronaldo, who has left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in an £80million switch, scored a remarkable 118 goals in 292 United appearances Owen has been awarded Ronaldo's famous No.7 shirt, which was previously worn by David Beckham and George Best, and is confident he will step up in the new season and prove his quality. He said in The Sun: "This is a big chance to show that I can do it again, to show that I can handle the pressure and the expectation. "I've handled the pressure and scrutiny before and all the managers I've played under will all say I can handle it." He added: "That shirt has pressures of its own and some great players have worn it in the past, but I will do it justice. "The manager asked me to wear the shirt. He said a player needs broad shoulders for it and he asked me if I felt I could handle it. "I said 'yes' without hesitation. I know it represents so much. Two big players have left Manchester United in Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. "There were a lot of goals in Ronaldo and I'm here to hopefully fill that gap."

Source: SKY_Sports