Michael Owen Knows His Place

Manchester United boss has made it clear Michael Owen is an important part of his plans this season. Owen started the 3-1 Community Shield victory over Chelsea but wasn't part of the squad that beat his former club Newcastle in the side's opening Premier League game. The striker returned to come off the bench as his side drew 2-2 with Fulham. The-30-year-old only started five league games in the last campaign scoring three goals in the Premier League, including a last minute winner in the Manchester derby. The former Real Madrid striker is entering the final year of his contract and will be hoping to earn an extension with last season's runners up. The Betfair Football predictions suggest United will do well again this season and Owen will want to be part of any success.

He will face stiff competition from new arrival Javier Hernandez, as well as Federico Macheda who will be used more this season than he was last. With Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov the most likely first choice partnership up front, it's between those three players to fill the first replacement role. While Hernandez and Macheda both impressed hugely in pre-season, Owen was recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in the Carling Cup Final in February after scoring the opening goal.

Owen has made it clear he understands that he won't be involved in every game and is happy to play his part as a squad member. In all competitions last season Owen scored nine goals in 31 games, including his first hat-trick since 2005 against Wolfsburg. The importance of some of those goals showed why Ferguson made the somewhat surprise move of bringing Owen to the club.

It's been a good few years since Owen had a really decent season. He last reached double figures for goals three seasons ago when he scored 11 for Newcastle. Since returning to England following a brief spell with Real Madrid, Owen has been cursed by injury after injury. With his latest hamstring problem behind him, Owen will be looking to prove a point this season. Even after all his injury woes, most clubs in the Premier League would love to be able to bring Michael Owen off the bench with 20 minutes to go.

Meanwhile, the Middlesbrough betting suggests they will be returning to face Manchester United in the top flight next season.

Although they haven't got off to the best of starts in the Championship, the north-east side will still be hopeful of gaining automatic promotion.