Why Michael Owen Will Never Be A Fan Favorite at Old Trafford

(Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

Michael Owen moved to Manchester United on a free transfer a few weeks back. Having signed for a club that can get him back to the national squad and better medical treatment, Owen is set to get back to the very top of his game.

Some doubted him at first, but he scored twice in his first two games with Manchester United. A late winner against Malaysia followed by another goal against the same opposition two days later.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes he will score many goals next season. Some fans agree but some don't.

So why won't Michael Owen be a fan favourite in Manchester United?

There are reasons for Liverpool fans to hate him. Some labelled him as a traitor following his shocking move to Manchester United while some believe their former hero shouldn't be playing for Liverpool's main title rival.

How about the reaction of Manchester United fans?

Well, he came on a free and is earning a relatively low wages compared to his new team mates. So, adding a squad player of his calibre shouldn't harm any team at all, despite his fitness form in recent seasons.

As mentioned earlier, he has scored two goals in Manchester United pre-season tour thus far. Owen looks like nothing but a striker that will score many goals for Manchester United next season, providing when he is fully fit. And fitness shouldn't be a big problem as he will not be rushed to play when unfit.

However, whether you like it or not, Michael Owen will never be a fan favourite at Old Trafford. He can score 30 goals for Manchester United next season but he will not be fan favourite.

His jersey hasn't been sold well and I am very sure his jersey will never be sold well, even if he single-handedly wins trophies for Manchester United.

Owen was given the No. 7 jersey as some kind of publicity I suppose, as a marketing strategy to raise the number of request for his name on Manchester United's kit.

A world class footballer wearing a legendary number of the famous kit. Unfortunately, he will never be a fan favourite.

Why is that so?

Liverpool fans don't like to see their Academy product playing for their fierce rival and Manchester United fans don't like to see their club using the service of a product of their rival's Academy either.

In fact, Owen was more than just an Academy product in Liverpool. He was their hero, he scored over 100 goals there and won the European Player of the Year during his time in Liverpool as well.

But Manchester United fans will definitely have an indescribable feeling towards Owen. Not hatred but it's an unpleasant feeling nevertheless.

Owen is not an unwanted striker, he is a world-class striker in fact. But I know it's hard for Manchester United fans to really like him. They will definitely give him support all the time but somehow they will never look at Owen as their hero, which is understandable.

For example, I can't imagine cheering for Michael Carrick in Liverpool's kit either. He will get the support he needs but at the same time, he will not really be liked. And Carrick is not even the product of Manchester United.

And currently, Manchester United fans still prefer Dimitar Berbatov over Michael Owen. Owen is a quicker striker, less lazy, has good understanding with Wayne Rooney, and is one of the best finishers in the game. I don't think those qualities are enough to displace the taller, younger, and more expensive Berbatov from the starting line-up.

Despite being a Liverpool fan, I hope that Owen will have a good season with Manchester United. I never looked at him as a traitor and I want him to get back to the top of his game.

I am making an assumption here but it's hard to deny that Owen will never be a fan favourite at Old Trafford. No party is to blame here; not the player, the club or the fans.

What do you think? Will Michael Owen ever be a fan favourite in Manchester United?

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