Owen set for United medical

03 July 2009 09:03
Michael Owen has arrived at Manchester United's Carrington training ground to undergo a full medical before completing his shock move to Old Trafford. The striker has left Newcastle after his reported £120,000-a-week contract expired on Wednesday and he is now looking for a new club. Hull City and Stoke had sounded their interest in the former Liverpool star, but Premier League champions United appear to have sensationally won the race for his signature. Despite being a free signing, the move would represent a gamble for Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson given Owen's struggles with injuries throughout his career. But reports suggest the 29-year-old successfully underwent an initial assessment on his troublesome knee on Thursday and has now travelled to Manchester to undergo an overall medical. United have yet to officially comment on the story, but it is expected that Owen will become a Red Devils player before the weekend. Ferguson is keen for attacking reinforcements after losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer and Owen's proven goalscoring record is thought to be viewed as a solution. Karim Benzema was United's primary target, but Real Madrid have had a big-money offer accepted for the Lyon striker and the Red Devils have therefore been forced to look elsewhere. Owen's move is unlikely to go down well with Liverpool supporters after the striker spent eight years with the Reds having started his career at Anfield. The 89-time England cap then moved to Real for one season in 2004 before joining Newcastle on a four-year deal.

Source: SKY_Sports