Fans excited by Owen arrival

Report by Gemma Thompson

Talking Reds users flooded our message board following the shock signing of Michael Owen on Friday. Here's what some had to say...

I believe the signing of Owen is a good bit of business. He is a proven goalscorer and we've missed that since Ruud left. I know he struggles with injuries these days but let's give the guy a chance - as they say 'the talent never leaves you.' We create chances galore and Owen is a good old fashioned goal sniffer. Rooney and Berba are always going be first choice but Owen has a big part to play. He's more than capable of outscoring most current Premier League strikers.
- chicktamonie

Personally I think this is a brilliant move and one we should have made last year. To get a player of his calibre on a free transfer is fantastic and I think he'll score a good few goals for us.
- United Till I Die!!!

I think Owen is a great signing especially as we've got him on a free transfer. I don't expect him to play every week but he can be a real super sub for us.
- Shivam Utd

Despite the injuries, Owen still managed 10 goals for Newcastle last season. Given the right service and a run of games, he's still capable of scoring a lot of goals - he's not lost that lethal finisher's instinct in the box.
- rohitspk

If Owen can stay fit he is a great finisher and could get us at least 10-15 goals. A great signing by Fergie.
- ballyduff20

I would love to see him score the winning goal too against the Scousers.
- Matthew Towlson

I think this could turn out to be one of the shrewdest pieces of business Sir Alex has ever done.
- ooi1977

This could be a great signing. Yes, he played for Liverpool but that would make it all the sweeter if he can hit form for United.
- Andrew Dickinson

The comments expressed in this article are personal to the supporters who posted them on the Talking Reds message board. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Possebon heads out on loan

Report by Steve Bartram

Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Possebon will spend the entire 2009/10 season on loan at Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

The 20-year-old joined United from Brazil’s Internacional in January 2008, and went on to make his senior Reds debut in the 2008/09 Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United.

He made a total of three starts and five substitute appearances during the course of the season but, due to the first team’s wealth of central midfielders, Rodrigo found further first team opportunities hard to come by.

He spent the majority of the season in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reserves as the Reds won two cups and finished second in the Barclays Premier Reserve League (North).

Braga finished fifth in the Liga Sagres last season and will be taking part in the 2009/10 Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup.

Antonio can make his mark

Report by Steve Bartram

United legend Lou Macari believes Antonio Valencia has a tremendous opportunity to make his mark as a United player.

The Ecuadorian joined the Reds from Wigan earlier this week, becoming the club's first summer signing, and the move was no surprise to Macari.

"There have been lots of rumours but of all the names that were mentioned, Valencia was one that I thought would come off," he told MUTV.

"Valencia's played his part for Wigan, now he's got to do it at Old Trafford. Over the years, there have been players who have done well at other clubs but then it hasn't really happened for them at United. It's a wait and see job, to see how Valencia adjusts to life at Old Trafford, but it's a great opportunity for him.

"A couple of years ago he was doing nothing, but since coming to the Premier League, he's made his mark with Wigan and he'll be hoping to make his mark at Manchester United."

Macari feels Valencia's three years at Wigan make him a suitable acquisition, but takes the majority of the circulating transfer rumours with a pinch of salt.

"I think Premier League experience is a big help," he said. "When you bring in any player from any league, regardless of that player's quality, he's still got to do it in the Premier League which is probably the hardest league in the world to play in week in, week out.

Blog: New boy fits the bill

Report by Pat Crerand

Antonio Valencia joining United was the worst-kept secret - everyone expected him to come to Old Trafford.

Still, he's an important signing and the timing of his move is great as it means he can go on the Asia Tour later this month. He'll get to know his team-mates much better by living around them in the hotels. The players are all together, all the time, they're in each other's company for every minute of every day.

I'm sure Valencia won't be our only summer signing, we might need a striker as well. But a wide player was certainly something we needed, so he's a great addition to the squad. He's quick and could be a full-back's nightmare - the last thing you want to do as a defender is play against someone who's quick, running at you.

When he played against United at Old Trafford in January, he gave John O'Shea one of the biggest chasings John's ever had. The only time I'd ever seen someone do that to John before was when Ronaldo did it for Sporting Lisbon in a friendly in 2003!

Valencia's goal return, only three for Wigan last season, doesn't matter. I think when you're playing with better players, there'll be more possibilities for you to score goals. But another great talent in football that's often overlooked is creating goals.

People have a go at Berbatov because he's not as energetic as Tevez, but he scored 12 goals in the league and also how many did he make? The art of making chances is almost as important as scoring goals.

I think it's great when someone wants to join you as much as Valencia does. We have a lost a couple of big players and like it or not, money played a big part in it. But this lad wants to come and play for Manchester United.

Berbatov was another exception to the point about money. All the rumours on deadline day last summer were that Manchester City were trying to hijack the deal with a bigger offer but Berbatov said, 'No, I want to play for Manchester United'. When you get foreign players saying that, I think it's a bonus.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.