Michael Owen is being lined up to join Manchester United. Although the club is refusing to comment on the speculation, it would be both the shock and the coup of the century. Of all the clubs touting for Owen, including Hull, Stoke, Everton and Aston Villa, Manchester United is probably the last place football would have been expecting him to land up. Rumours say Owen, 29, has already had tests on his knee and that he is about to undergo a full medical before the deal is finalised.

The scenario has been leaked to Sky Sports News which is a pretty reliable source for speculation which becomes a reality. Owen is out of contract with Newcastle United and failed to return for training with the Magpies. He struggled to find his form last season and spent a lot of time on the bench, despite his support for caretaker manager Alan Shearer whom, he believes, is the right man for the permanent job.

Owen’s career has also been hit by injury but Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be willing to take a chance on the striker. He is keen to bolster his attacking force following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. In his heyday, Owen would have been a worthy successor and could have brought some lightning speed, glamour and excitement to Manchester United. But though everyone suspects he can still regain his sparkle of yesteryear, it still seems a great shock that Sir Alex would put his faith in him.

In any event, is Manchester United the right club for Owen? Isn’t it a case of being thrown into the lions’ den? Football fans have been suggesting that Owen would be better off going to a club with lesser ambitions and become a big fish in a little sea rather than the other way round. Won’t he be swallowed up by the Manchester United machine?

Certainly, Owen would have to make a miraculous recovery back to top form if he is to play regular football with the Reds. The most likely outcome is that he will once again find himself on the touchlines, waiting for a chance and then not having enough time to grind back into action. A club like Hull would have been the perfect location or Aston Villa would have been an attractive proposition.

Owen is also laying himself right open to Liverpool fans who will absolutely detest him for going to their great rivals. Even the neutrals believe there are some lines you just don’t cross.