Michael Owen ruled out until Christmas
Published 18:13 14/11/11 By David Anderson
Michael Owen’s injury jinx has struck again, with the striker being ruled out until Christmas.
The ex-England striker scored three goals in three games for Manchester United this season before limping off after 11 minutes against Otelul Galati in the Champions League on November 2.
It was thought to be a minor knock but has now been diagnosed as a thigh injury that will take at least another six weeks to heal.
A United spokesman said: “Michael has a thigh muscle injury and will be out for six weeks or so.”
As a result, Owen, 31, is unlikely to be available again to manager Sir Alex Ferguson until the Boxing Day clash with Wigan at Old Trafford.
If that proves accurate, Owen will miss nine games in all competitions – including the November 26 home match against his former club Newcastle.
Owen, who joined United in 2009, has scored 17 goals in 52 appearances for the club – Fergie preferring to deploy him from the bench or in cup competitions.
He has a history of injuries dating back to 1999, when he was at Liverpool and this is not his first thigh problem.
In 2007, he was troubled by it so much that he had three spells out in one season, beginning only weeks after recovering from nine months out of the game with a cruciate ligament injury in his knee.
