Football: Final whistle blown on Owen’s United career

Injury-hit spell forces club not to offer striker a new contract.

LONDON: Former England striker Michael Owen has not been offered a new contract by Manchester United after a frustrating three years at the club where he barely featured and his injury curse continued to strike.

The 32-year-old former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United striker last played in a competitive Manchester United game in November.

He signed from Newcastle on a free transfer in 2009 and went on to score 17 goals in 52 appearances for United, winning the 2011 Premier League title — his first English championship medal.

“The manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract,” Owen wrote on his Twitter page.

“I have loved every minute of the three years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future. I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move.”

His most notable Manchester United strike was an injury-time winner against city-rivals three years ago but City got the upper hand this term as they pipped their rivals to the title.

Owen will hope to win a move to another Premier League team but faces a tough ask in resurrecting his once glittering career in which he was named 2001 European player of the year.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2012.