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In one of the summer’s biggest curveballs Michael Owen traded relegated Newcastle United for Premier League champions Manchester United. Let’s be honest here, who – bar Sir Alex – honestly saw that one coming? Now, on the eve of the new season, Manchester United’s new number seven chats to Sport

A lot of people were surprised that Manchester United came in for you. Did it come as a complete shock to you?

“Well, no, because I still believe that I can play in a top team, score goals in a top team and do well. Everyone believes in themselves I suppose, although with me not having such a good time at Newcastle you do start to wonder what might happen, but I never doubted my ability. The only thing that surprised me was how quickly the whole deal was done.”

How quickly was it done? At what point in the deal did you find out?

“Well I was told of Manchester United’s interest a couple of days before it was officially announced. I heard about it in midweek and by the Friday I’d done my medical and signed by the Saturday, so it was two or three days and everything was done, which is very quick for a move. But that’s great because as soon as I heard that Man Utd were interested, you want to tie everything up as quickly as possible and make sure nothing gets in the way.”

In the days leading up to that, Stoke City and Hull City were a couple of clubs being mentioned as being interested. With respect to them both, they’re not really clubs you’d expect Michael Owen to be playing for, are they?

“Well obviously it’s difficult for me to answer that but what I would say is that there were a lot of other clubs that I was speaking to when Manchester United came in and there were a lot of good clubs in there.”

Who was the first person at Manchester United you spoke to about it?

“Wayne Rooney called me before I actually signed because there had been a few rumours going around and in the press, so he called me from his holiday to talk about it and check it was true. He wasn’t quite as excited as me about it but he wasn’t far off.”

You’ve been handed the prized number seven shirt, as previously worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and, most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo. Does that add any pressure?

“Well that’s what the manager said when he gave it to me – he told me I’m going to have to have broad shoulders to wear that shirt. But I think that with everything I’ve had to deal with in my career I’m not scared of wearing it. I’m not scared of a challenge and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

What has Sir Alex Ferguson said to you about how he sees your role at United and what he expects of you?

“I think it’s impossible for him to speak to any player nowadays and say you’re going to play this amount of games or that amount of games, or you’re going to play in this position or that position. Football’s not like that any more and there’s no guarantee of anything because it’s such a long season and you need a big squad. I mean, I got here and looked around at the midfielders we’ve got and I couldn’t believe there are about 10 world-class internationals here playing for just three or four places every week. But that’s why clubs like United, Chelsea and Liverpool are chasing the titles every year, because they have so much strength and so much depth.”

So no complaints if you end up coming off the bench?

“Well I want to be playing every week, but I’m realistic and I won’t complain if I’m not playing every game. The season will just evolve and it remains to be seen how it pans out, but hopefully I’ll have as big a part as possible to play and be successful here.”

Alex Ferguson described you as an ‘old codger’ at your press conference. At 29, do you feel old, in football terms?

“To be honest I expected to be told I was getting old at 32, 33, but not 29, no. He was joking and I take it with a pinch of salt anyway. It’s not something that worries me. I mean, when I had my knee operated on (in 2006), the surgeon said I was in good condition, so I like to think that all the essential bits of my body are good enough to see me playing for a good few years yet. Put it this way, I don’t get out of bed aching.”

You played 32 games last season and 40 the season before, yet you have a reputation for being injury prone. Why is that?

“I don’t know but it’s frustrating. If Michael Owen pulls a muscle and is out for six weeks it’s back-page news, whereas if other players do it then it’s barely mentioned. Obviously I’ve had injuries in the past but when people say I’m injury-prone I don’t really understand it because when somebody stands on your foot and it breaks a bone, how is that me being injury prone?”

Looking back now though, 58 starts and 26 goals in four years at Newcastle United doesn’t constitute success, does it?

“No, and I’d liked to have played more and scored more but you can’t help the injuries you have. Those first two years were tough because of the injuries I picked up but they were injuries I had wearing a black and white shirt and they happened while I was trying my best for Newcastle United. But in the last two seasons I played more than 75 per cent of the games but sadly, I and everyone else will be judged on the fact that Newcastle United went down, and that is a massive regret.”

Did relegation hurt?

“Yes, hugely. Alan Shearer had made some massive strides at the club in a short space of time, especially bearing in mind that there was all the speculation about the club being sold, which didn’t help the players at all. But under Alan things were definitely moving in the right direction so yeah, it hurt a lot to go down. Newcastle is a great club with incredible fans and failing those fans still hurts a lot.”

Would you have left the club if you’d stayed in the Premier League?

“Well my contract was up this summer so I suppose you’d need to ask that question to Newcastle United.”

As a former Liverpool player, did you have any concerns about joining Manchester United?

“Well the fact it was Manchester United made it an easier decision because, as a club, they’re hard to turn down. But yeah, I understand the issues there. Liverpool was a huge part of my life and I’ll never forget that, so it was tricky in that sense and people are always going to get upset. But I’ve had good luck messages from a lot of Liverpool fans, which is nice. They’ve mainly said they hope I do well, but just make sure I don’t do well against them!”

Did you have one eye on winning your World Cup place back when deciding to leave Newcastle?

“To be honest, that wasn’t my main motivation. I mean, I’d love to get that place back in time but at this moment, playing well for Manchester United, scoring goals and earning my place in the team is the priority. If England comes as a result, fantastic, but only time will tell.”

So looking ahead to this season, who, if anyone, can break the big four domination?

“Well I think you have to look at Manchester City, given the money they’ve spent and the players they’ve brought in. If they gel, and that’s the big question, but if they gel then they could do very well. City aside though, I think it will be Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and United at the top again, and I’m confident we’ll be up there challenging.”

And if you could only win one trophy this season, which one takes priority?

“That’s tough. I haven’t been asked that question for a long, long time and it’s a nice one to answer. It’s so exciting at Manchester United because they’ve been the champions for the last three seasons and have dominated the Premier League since it started. I keep finding myself thinking about the chances I’ll get playing in a team like this and thinking about scoring goals – everywhere you look you get excited by it all.”

But which trophy, Michael? If you can get your hands on one trophy, which do you want?

“Well, the Premier League is always key, but the Champions League is every bit as important nowadays – I’d be grateful to win either of them to be honest, because I’ve not won either before. I’ve won FA Cups, League Cups, Uefa Cups, Super Cups and Charity Shields but never the league and never the Champions League, so I’m not at all picky. Either of them would be great.”

Michael Owen will be wearing the new Umbro Speciali boot for the 2009/10 season. For further information go to the website at www.umbro.com