In Michael Owen, Manchester United have broken two of their own golden rules: one of which was only put in place about a month ago. The former Newcastle United striker is 30 a full four years over Man Utd’s self imposed limit for transfer targets. And they have also broken another golden rule in going back to sign a player that they were reportedly close to getting hold of when he left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004. It was only Owen’s reticence in joining his boyhood club’s greatest rivals that scuppered the move.

The breaking of these two rules does not look the end of the world at first glance – after all football clubs perennially say one thing and do another.
But Sir Alex Ferguson – mind games aside – has always had a grip in what he wants out of players, and the way in which MIchael Owen arrived suggests a hint of desperation.
Fergie’s done the maths and realises that Owen still has a good goal ratio, and has experience of linking up with Wayne Rooney.
However, this signing highlights Man Utd fans’ greatest fear: there is no way to replace Ronaldo.
And so we see a team trying to replace a true star with – so far – two players, with perhaps more to go.
With Lyon’s Karim Benzema turning his back on the Red Devils as well, this is perhaps the most worrying pre-season the champions have had in a long time.