News of Michael Owen and David Beckham

In the most surprising turn of events this summer, Michael Owen is at Old Trafford undergoing his physical to make a move to Manchester United. This is a move that I begged Sir Alex to do in a blog I'd written on December 22, 2008 when we won the World Cup. At the very bottom in the P.S., I asked Sir Alex to imagine the rhythm that he would have with the rest of our lads (at the time I was including Ronny) as they all played together. I knew then that he was going to be up for grabs at some point in time, and now…here he is! Coming to us! I couldn't be more pleased than if Ronaldo decided to stay.
This isn't the first time that SAF has given eye to Owen. Back when Michael was a young lad and he was training for the youth leagues, Ferguson was interested in his joining the Red Devils then but some stipulations from Daddy Owen (Footballer Terry Owen) couldn't be met at the time. Unfortunately, this led young Michael west to Liverpool. We aren't holding that against him now, and instead, are welcoming him with open arms, and an open wallet apparently. Sir Alex is looking at a £50k,weekly cheque to Owen and that's with the current record of injuries that he has at this point. Personally, I believe that Michael Owen's injury issues are going to be a thing of the past with the right team, training and physio behind him.
Look at it this way. He was on a team that was just relegated. How well could things have been going behind the scenes if they were going so poorly on the pitch? Also, Owen's place on the team has yet to be determined and most likely will not be one of a shining star but more like the one Tevez left behind and a place that Scholes and even Giggs currently hold. These are men that aren't always starters, they do not always go in every game, and are often used as substitutes in order to save the strength of the other players or they're used as ringers. We'll be getting to know Michael Own more and more as the weeks go by and as we hear of his interaction with the other lads. We'll see how he fits in. Once Rio features him in "5" and plays a few pranks on him, we'll know he's gelled off the pitch with the team, which will announce to the world that he's really become a Red Devil.

Now, for my BOLD prediction or suggestion that I'm going to make, just like the one I made on December 22 when I suggested Sir Alex being Michael Owen on; I think he should place a bid for John Terry. We need another great defender. Toward the end of the season, we started seeing some holes in our defense that never should have existed. Edwin Van der Sar was left exposed by Nemanja Vidic on more than one occasion, and was scored on when it never should have happened. I am usually one to always jump up and down for Vidic but the last few games of the season, the important qualifying games, and the Champions League were all disappointments. I'm not saying they were all Nemanja's fault but he wasn't always where he should have been. He can't always be everywhere he needs to be. That's why a little help from another friend might be a really good thing. So, there it is. Sir Alex Ferguson, please bring John Terry in from Chelsea! Our defense would be so strong and our striking force would be so great once again, we'll be saying, "Ronaldo WHO?"

Speaking of former Red Devils, David Beckham returns to the LA Galaxy as they down the New York Red Bulls on July 16th. Apparently, some fans are not thrilled with his return as they feel he never should have left in the first place. Is this a case of fans acting like children who are upset when Mummy and Daddy return but then warm up once they've been sufficiently "punished" for leaving in the first place? Probably. More likely than not, his fans that are glad to see him back will outweigh those that will be petulant.
My concern isn't fans who are the most peeved at Becks but his own teammate, Landon Donovan, who has been very outspoken in his disapproval of Beckham's overall performance as Captain and player. ESPN interviewed Donovan and he had plenty to say.
"When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing," Donovan said. "He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well.
"Somewhere along the way - and in my mind it coincides with Ruud being let go - he just flipped a switch and said, 'Uh-huh, I'm not doing it anymore'."
Donovan says Becks is a bad teammate because he lacks commitment.
"He's not shown (he's a good team-mate)," he said. "I can't think of another guy where I'd say he wasn't a good team-mate, he didn't give everything through all this, he didn't still care. But with (Beckham), I'd say no, he wasn't committed."
Ouch! Let's see, how do you define "bad teammate?" Is it someone who bashes a fellow teammate and doesn't stick by them, perhaps? Someone who doesn't always show a unified front no matter what their personal opinion is? Could be. See, these guys still have to play together. That's what I don't get. I'm sure Becks will gallantly stride up to Landon Donovan with an outstretched hand and a smile on his face with every intention of mending torn fences.
Donovan, on the other hand seems to be the type of teammate who would rather build a higher fence.