Owen Fit for Man United Return

Manchester United striker Michael Owen has declared himself fit for the club's Christmas fixtures.
United face Sunderland again at Old Trafford on Boxing Day before travelling to Birmingham two days later and then West Brom on New Year's Day.
Owen told the club's website www.manutd.com: "I'm fit and I've been in full training for three-and-a-half weeks.
"The hard bit now is getting back into the side, trying to force my way back into the squad. That's not easy at Manchester United."
United remain unbeaten and have taken advantage of Chelsea's recent loss of form to move top of the table with three successive wins.
Owen admits that, although the competition for places at United is tough, it does at least mean players do not have to be rushed back from injuries.
That is crucial for the 31-year-old, who has suffered hamstring problems throughout his career and missed the end of last season - and had hopes of going to the World Cup with England ended - because of one.
He also had a groin injury earlier in the season and the Sunderland game was his only Premier League start of the current campaign.
Owen added: "There are that many quality players at United that you're given as much time as you need to come back from injury.
"I injured my hamstring at the beginning of October, which kept me out for six weeks.
"Since then I've been able to train fully and work my way back up to full fitness - now I'm fit and hope to play a part in the games over Christmas."

United Swooping for 20 Million Pound Newcastle Striker

Manchester United will attempt to lure Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll to Old Trafford next summer as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to plan for the future. The 21 year old England international has been in fine form during the Magpies return to the Premier League but the recent sacking of Chris Hughton is said to have angered the youngster who may well be tempted by the move.

Alan Pardew has been quick to seek confirmation that the St James’ Park board will not sell their prized assets as he looks to bring stability to the club but knows that should a significant offer come in for Carroll then Mike Ashley, keen to balance his own books, may well consider selling the old fashioned striker. Clearly such a sale would greatly anger the club’s supporters but it seems that is something that the Newcastle United owner has gotten used to anyway.

Some have stated that the price on Carroll’s head is around £20m and that may well be a fee that Ferguson is more than willing to offer as he looks to freshen up his squad. Some believe that the Scot is ready to offload Dimitar Berbatov and with Michael Owen likely to leave the club when his contract runs out in the summer then a move for the Gateshead born goalscorer may well be even more amenable.