29-year-old Owen has penned a two-year deal at Old Trafford after leaving Newcastle United on a free transfer.

The player was less than popular in his final days at St.James' Park - highly-paid, lacking in fitness and lacking in form as the Barcodes slumped to relegation to the Championship.

Few, however, can deny Owen's exceptional goalscoring record. The Chester-born forward has bagged an awesome forty England goals from 89 caps and has impressive goals-to-game ratios with the Scousers, Real Madrid and Newcastle.

Owen, who follows Antonio Valencia through the OT entrance doors, was set to enter negotiations with the likes of Hull City, Stoke and Blackburn when Ferguson expressed his surprise interest.

The player underwent an intensive medical programme before the deal was concluded and has been signed on a pay-as-you-play deal. Thus, his signing marks less of a gamble than sections of the national press would have people believe. He's cost the club nothing and, should he prove a flop, will now prove a huge strain on wages.

Owen's strong Liverpool connections make the move increasingly controversial. Anfield regulars are squirming, and many hardcore Reds are uncomfortable at seeing Owen running out wearing the famous United jersey. It's going to be strange - but many had reservations when Sir Alex took a punt on a certain charismatic Frenchman from our cross-Pennines rivals.

Welcome to Old Trafford.

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