Fergie Desperate To Talk Up Owen's Credentials

Sir Alex says that he's not concerned by the fans' opinion on Michael Owen getting the legendary number seven shirt. Well, I think it's not true: the fact that he's gone some way to justify his decision speaks volumes about his awareness of our opinions.

'The criteria for the number seven is quite clear,' he said.

'It is a jersey that has been worn by some high-profile players and we have that in Michael Owen.

'You have to choose someone you are confident can carry that on and his profile in the last decade has been outstanding.

'I am not concerned about what the supporters think - it is important to give it to someone who is confident and comfortable and he was a natural choice.'

It wasn't natural at all: it should have been given to someone who had the potential to be an inspiration to his teammates, who can win games on his own. Owen is nothing like that: he's merely a goalscorer.

However, Fergie clearly trusts him as he's desperate to praise him, to talk up his credentials, to convince us to accept him. There's no need, at least in my case: I don't think I'll ever really like Owen but I accept the fact that he's a United player now and I'm going to support him whenever he pulls on the shirt. But don't ask me to be happy about the fact that an ex-Liverpool player wears our legendary number seven shirt.

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