Owen must go…

Friday, 30/10/2009

Michael Owen has had a busy week. It started with a tempestuous return to Anfield, in which he took large doses of stick and was moments away from scoring a fairytale equaliser, before being hauled down by Jamie Carragher.
It was prior to this match that quotes attributed to Fabio Capello surfaced, describing the country's fourth-highest scorer of all-time as his "tormentor".
That pressure would certainly have been heightened when Owen showcased his abilities perfectly, with a wonderfully taken goal against Barnsley to seal Manchester United's progress into the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
There has been much debate over Owen's international future. The media is always quick to jump on any story they can find relating to the forward, who turns 30 in December.
If, like this week, he scores a goal, then writers clamour for his recall. If he doesn't, the press suddenly remembers he is well down a rather large pecking order.
But there will always be room for a player of Owen's capabilities in an England World Cup squad, for much the same reason as David Beckham's continued involvement: the boy is class. Look at his winner at the death in the Manchester derby. Unerring, clinical, brutal. 

Wayne Rooney is first-choice and on the plane. We have “big men” such as Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch. We have speed merchants like Gabby Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent.
But who can finish in the way Owen can? Nobody! He has more international goals than any other active England player.
All three goals he has scored in his brief Man United career have demonstrated his finishing prowess. His fitness may cause Capello to have doubts, but the only thing Owen should be tormenting is opposition defences in South Africa next summer.
Lee Price runs www.football-previews.com
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