NEW Manchester United striker Michael Owen admits he leapt at the chance to join the Barclays Premier League 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 poor injury record over recent years which blighted his spell at St James' Park was thought to be a major facto
r 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 which he craved.
In fact, his advisors had just begun negotiations with a number of interested parties before a surprise phone call from Ferguson changed the outlook on everything.
"I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me," said Owen.
"I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands. I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here.
"I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one. I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances."
He added to MUTV: "It feels great. When I got the call from the manager to come round and meet him it was a shock, but I'm obviously really happy. I've had a poor spell up at Newcastle, but, prior to that, my career was very good, and I'm sure a top club like this can re-ignite my career."
Owen added that his fitness problems of recent seasons should not be a concern for United's fans.
"I'd like to think that everyone was quite surprised with my medical," he said. "I passed my medical and I've obviously passed them before, and my fitness is high. A lot is made out of it, but I certainly don't feel like I'm injury prone."
Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of Owen and his signing does not represent as much of a gamble as some have made out. The fact Owen was a free agent, and that he is believed to have agreed a basic salary with pay-as-you play bonuses, means the Old Trafford boss has nothing to lose.
Ferguson clearly believes there is still plenty to come from a player who scored 158 goals in 297 matches for Liverpool and struck 40 times in 89 England internationals.
"Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goal-scoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question," said the United manager. "Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish."
Owen will also hope that moving to United, with the promise of Champions League football again, will help his bid to force his way back into Fabio Capello's England squad ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
