Fergie breakfast has Owen hungry

Manchester United’s new striker Michael Owen leapt at the chance to join the English champions after a surprise phone call from manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 29-year-old, whose contract with relegated Newcastle expired at the end of June, has signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford.

Owen’s injury record over recent years, which blighted his spell at St James’s Park, was thought to be a major factor in the unwillingness of most of England’s top clubs to consider taking him on a free transfer.

With the likes of Hull and Stoke publicly declaring their interest in the former Liverpool and Real Madrid player, it seemed Owen was destined to have to accept a substantial drop in both wages and the standard of football he craves.

In fact, he had just begun negotiations with a number of interested parties before a surprise phone call from Ferguson changed the outlook on everything.

Owen said: “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning, during which he told me that he wanted to sign me.

“I agreed without a moment’s thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.”