Michael Owen vows to face Man Utd

Aug 10 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE star Michael Owen has vowed to be back for United’s first Premier League game of the season at Manchester United . . .

And believes that the timing of the Magpies’ visit to the Champions League winners may work in his side’s favour.

Owen has suffered from mumps and a calf injury during the summer, and has not figured in any pre-season matches.

But the Sunday Sun understands he could play some part in the club’s final warm-up game at Newcastle Blue Star on Wednesday or, more likely, a practice match behind closed doors at United’s training ground.

Either way, Owen is confident about being fit for the trip to Old Trafford — and about his side’s chances.

“Physically I’m fine,” said Owen, the subject of speculation surrounding a £12 million approach from Tottenham.

“In fact I’ve almost had to be reined in, but always in the back of all our minds has been that you don’t want to be pushing further than your body tells you to.

“I’ve had to go steadily but this last week I’ve been running more and more quickly and continuing to progress; Manchester United is what we’re aiming for.

“They are the champions of England and Europe and in my view the best team in Europe. But the first game of a new season could be just the time to play them, when they might not be firing on all cylinders.”

Meanwhile, United — understood to have signed Southampton’s 17-year-old striker Nile Ranger on a two-year deal — have been offered SV Hamburg striker Ivica Olic but, at 28, consider him too old and £7.5 million-rated Sunderland target Taye Taiwo, but will only consider the Marseille left-back if they fail to land Stephen Warnock from Blackburn.