Michael will do the trick against Liverpool: Ferguson

Updated on: 25 October,2009 08:33 AM IST |
PA Sport |

Ferguson banking on Manchester United striker's big-match record in today's EPL Derby game against Michael's former club, Liverpool

Ferguson banking on Manchester United striker's big-match record in today's EPL Derby game against Michael's former club, Liverpool

Michael Owen. PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Owen will be centre of attention on Sunday as he makes his first return to Liverpool the club which nurtured him and for whom he scored 158 goals as a player for their fiercest rivals.

United's signing of the one-time Anfield hero raised some eyebrows in the summer but the 29-year-old repaid some of Ferguson's faith with a dramatic derby winner against Manchester City last month.

Now United will be hoping he can repeat the trick in a Barclays Premier League game which Liverpool, after four successive defeats in all competitions, can ill afford to lose.

"That will never be forgotten," Ferguson said. "I don't know if it puts him in the history books but it will certainly never be forgotten. He is only just starting with us. He has only been here a few months and I hope the boy is here for a long time. I think he is well capable of doing that. He is showing he is a terrific professional, he lives the right way and there are no complications with him."

Owen has largely been restricted to substitute's duties since moving to Old Trafford and got another 20 minutes in Wednesday's Champions League win at CSKA Moscow.

Ferguson added: "When he came on on Wednesday I think he did very well, his movement troubles opponents.

There is nobody better at holding the line in the last third than him, he is very seldom offside. That is experience."

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