Owen hungry for success

Michael Owen insists he is hungry to be a success at Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson sprang a major surprise when he turned to Owen to fill the attacking void created by the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

At 29, and with four unsuccessful years at Newcastle behind him, Owen was in the process of being written off as a star name, with Fabio Capello steadfastly refusing to pick him for England and a brochure distributed to Premier League clubs emphasising his availability viewed as a desperate attempt to find a club.

But the fourth–highest goalscorer in England history claims he still has plenty to aim for.

“The talk doesn’t hurt you when you believe in yourself,” he said.

“I know I am hungry to do well. If this challenge does not put a spring in your step and a smile on your face, nothing will.

“Having a manager like Sir Alex Ferguson and a club like this coming in for you says it all.
“I still believe I can do well in a top team like Manchester United.”

Many fans are concerned about the former Liverpool star’s fitness record.

“It does irritate me that so many people have doubts,” he said.

“But if there is one thing I am angered by, the injury thing would be it.

“In certain parts, people do have a justification to have a go at me,” he said.

“I didn’t set the world alight in the last year at Newcastle. That is no–one’s fault but mine. We were not playing well as a team and I wasn’t doing my bit either.”