Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
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Owen takes aim at doubters

13 Jul 2009 - 15:32:54

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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has admitted he is irritated by suggestions that he is injury-prone.

The 29-year-old frontman has joined the Red Devils on a free transfer after four seasons with Newcastle United.

Owen suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, broken metatarsal and several shorter lay-offs during his time with the Magpies which has led to criticism of his fitness record.

But the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star insists he is fully-fit and raring to go after being officially unveiled as a United player for the first time.

"If this challenge doesn't put a spring in your step and a smile on your face then nothing will. I still believe I can do well at a top team like Manchester United," he said.

Referring to the tag of being injury-prone, he added: "If there's one thing that probably angers me a little it's that.

"There's no doubt I've had injuries in my career, but most people have. You continually read that over the last two years I've been plagued with injuries. It's just not true.

"I think I played 33 games and then 32 games in the last two years. Newcastle weren't in Europe, we didn't have any long cup runs... there are only 38 games in a Premier League season, so playing 33 one year and 32 in the other isn't too bad.

"I'm 29 and I've played more than 500 games for club and country, so that says it all.

"I might pick up an injury here or there but that's the rigours of the modern game. I don't believe I'm injury-prone."