CHINA: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is impressed with the skills of his newly signed striker Michael Owen

Record ID: 336150

  • Title: CHINA: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is impressed with the skills of his newly signed striker Michael Owen
  • Date: 28th July 2009
  • Summary: HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, CHINA (JULY 26, 2009) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE BY MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER SIR ALEX FERGUSON (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER SIR ALEX FERGUSON, SAYING: "Maybe it's not going to be judged properly because of, you know they may see the opposition as weaker. But really, some of our forward play and penetration was absolutely fir
  • Embargoed: 12th August 2009 13:00
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  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAB80KFD65COPTJCVCNH9U406Z9
  • Story Text: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was delighted with his side's performance on Sunday (July 26) after new signing Michael Owen scored twice and Ryan Giggs grabbed a hat-trick as the Red Devils rounded off their pre-season Asian tour with a 8-2 thrashing of China's Hangzhou Greentown.
    Dimitar Berbartov, Zoran Tosic and Nani were also on target for the English champions against the mid-table Chinese Super League side on a humid night in this tourist resort close to China's economic capital Shanghai.

    "Maybe it's not going to be judged properly because of, you know they may see the opposition as weaker. But really, some of our forward play and penetration was absolutely first class, so for that reason I've got to be delighted," Ferguson told reporters at a post-match news conference.
    England striker Michael Owen, who joined United as a free agent earlier this month and has been set a target of 15 goals next season by manager Alex Ferguson, made his tally four goals in his first four games before being replaced by Wayne Rooney at halftime.
    Ferguson singled out praise for his new signing for his contribution to the side.

    "I think his contribution and overall play of the game has definitely suited us. Very clever in the last third of the field, he knows when to run and when to hold his runs. And I think, not only that, I think the experience he gives in that position is going to be vital to us. Things are looking going for us. I must say I have been very very pleased with it. Obviously, it's not the acid test, but we know that given his abilities and understanding of play over the last third of the field, I think he'll get his goals," Ferguson said.
    When asked whether Owen is ready to bear the weight of wearing the number 7 jersey that has been graced by some of United's best players such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson said he was sure Owen is ready to take on the responsibility of wearing the famous United jersey number.

    "The jersey has been worn by some high-profile players and I think we have that in Michael Owen. His profile for the last decade has been outstanding. And to chose someone for that, you have to be confident he can carry it out. It is the confidence in themselves. I am not concerned about what the supporters think because the important thing is to give it to someone who is confident to use it and wear it. You could give it to young players. It may be beyond them at the moment.
    And I think he (Michael Owen) was a natural one to get it," Ferguson added.
    United, who beat FC Seoul in South Korea only 48 hours before taking the pitch, took a while to get going and it was Owen who made the breakthrough with a classic poacher's goal -- with more than a hint of offside -- after 23 minutes.
    Two goals in two minutes just after the half hour mark put paid to local hopes of an upset with winger Tosic and Berbatov both finding the right angle to beat hapless Hangzhou keeper Jiang Bo.
    It was another contribution from the outstanding Berbatov which set up the pick of the goals after 39 minutes, Owen controlling the Bulgarian's flicked pass on his chest before leaping to volley home from the edge of the area.
    Nani's strike and two in a row from substitute Giggs underlined United's superiority early in the second half but Ferguson will not have been impressed with the way Wang Hongyou was allowed room to head the ball past Ben Foster from a corner 13 minutes from the end.
    There was still time for Giggs to skip through to complete his hat-trick in the 88th minute and for Hangzhou's Brazilian striker Valdo to make the scoreline marginally more respectable in stoppage time.
    With the emphatic friendly win behind him, Ferguson said he was happy with the strength and options for his strike force for next season.

    "I think he (Michael Owen) gives us a strong option. I think that Macheda's development, obviously you saw that the other night, is good for a 17-year-old boy, and he's got the physical attributes to go with it. And of course, the experience of Berbatov and Owen and we know the expectation we have with Wayne Rooney. So I think we are not too bad," he said.
    Manchester United start the defence of their Premier League title with an away game against Birmingham City on August 16.
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