The wasted talent of Manchester United striker Michael Owen

Famed for his wonder goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup second round tie against Argentina, Michael Owen is unfortunately far from the exciting young talent of that night in Saint-Etienne.

This is due to the lack of exposure he receives in the Manchester United team and that time marches on briskly for a footballer, exemplified by the fact that Owen’s once frightening pace has long since deserted him.

He is however, still a striker with a keen eye for a goal, having found the net 11 times in his last 12 starts, including a double in the League Cup against Leeds on Tuesday night.

The former PFA Young Player of the Year is rarely given the opportunity to roll back the years though and demonstrate his ability to find the net. However, this doesn’t seem to concern him and instead he seems content to be a peripheral character at United.

So much so that he’s now as much of a permanent fixture on the bench, as the Sikh chaps who have a season ticket at Old Trafford a few seats away from his regular spot.

Age could be seen as a mitigating factor in his decision to take a back seat, as the length of his career would suggest he’s close to easing into his pipe and slippers and settling down with a nice cup of hot Horlicks.

Owen though is still only 31 and is potentially far from at the end of his career, but he seems content to let it wonder slowly into a cul-de-sac.

As a part of the most successful team in the Premier League, he can consider his time at Old Trafford as a success, but the glory he shares in is largely reflected due to the minimal role he has played on the pitch.

This is because competition for places in United’s attack is so stiff, with last season’s leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov (who is only a year younger) also consigned to the bench, having started just once this season, alongside Owen against Leeds.

Owen though is even further down in the pecking order than his Bulgarian team mate, as ahead of him are Wayne Rooney, Danny Wellbeck, Javier Hernandez and he’s even fighting for a place with young Federico Macheda.

He needn’t gently slip into easy retirement though as an experienced understudy and wise old head to the next generation of goal getters, as he still has plenty to offer.

Kevin Phillps is an example of age not getting in the way of a striker’s ability and his insistence on preserving his career and playing in the top flight until the age of 37 is an example that the heavy legs of age are no barrier to a lengthy career, if a player’s sight for goal and hunger still remain.

The latter unfortunately appears to be the sticking point for Owen.

The man himself contests that he is far from finished though, stating after Tuesday’s game: “I’m still only 31 and I have a good few years left in me yet,” but where that will be is as of yet unknown.

At present the United striker appears happy to savour the millions he’s made in his career and the goals he’s scored in his youth.

His decision to accept a one year contract extension in the summer was a surprise considering the peripheral part he played in the team the year before and with a number of clubs rumoured to be interested in his signature, but the pull of trophies and working with Sir Alex Ferguson is seemingly too strong.

His running off the ball, positional awareness and goalscoring ability means that he is an invaluable reserve for United, as he would happily grace that starting line-up of a number of Premier League clubs.

And as one of England’s all time top scorers, busting the back of the net 40 times in 89 appearances for his country, Owen is an iconic figure to many and to see him slip away from prominence is a shame, as whilst he won’t recreate the form of his youth, he still has plenty to offer a host of top flight clubs, fans and himself.

Tags: Manchester United, Michael Owen, Premier League