Manchester United sign Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia

Manchester United on Friday signed Englishman Michael Owen in what most consider a shocking move. The injury plagued striker signed for free as he was out of a contract with Newcastle United, having chosen not to sign at an extension at the now newly relegated Jordies.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been trying to resolve the sudden striker problems he faces with Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez's impending departures. Ronaldo has had a bid accepted by United f Real Madrid and has in fact already signed a contract. All that's left now is his unveiling which is scheduled for July the 6th.

Tevez on the other hand has turned down a contract offer at United after having completed his two-year loan spell, his reason being that the arrival of Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov last year caused him to lose his first team spot with the result being that he spent much of the season warming the bench.

Manchester United's latest signing, Michael Owen

Back to Owen. The ex-Newcastle, Real Madrid and Liverpool man has been signed on a two-year contract that papers report is incentive based, depending on performances and time played.

He was plagued by injury last year yet managed to score 10 goals last season as Newcastle saw themselves relegated along with West Brom and Middlesbrough. Sir Alex Ferguson, on having confirmed the deal, said "Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question. Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish"

He scored 118 goals in 216 games for Liverpool, having signed for them as a teenager in 1996, before moving to Real Madrid in 2004 where he spent most of his time on the bench. He then shifted to St. James' Park the following year where he managed to score 26 goals in 71 appearances.

Manchester United also signed Wigan winger Antonio Valencia earlier in the week for a fee thought to be around £16m. He has been signed on a four-year long contract.

The Ecuador international has been tracked by United for the last 12 months and new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has been unable to persuade him to stay at the DW Stadium.Valencia's arrival should ensure that Wayne Rooney gets the more central berth he craves next season as the Ecuador star is unlikely to venture into the middle quite as much as Ronaldo.

As he has already gone through the Premier League settling-in period after spending two seasons with the Latics, there are no worries over whether Valencia can adapt either. His lack of English may be a concern initially, although the main doubt of most United fans is a goalscoring return of just seven in 83 appearances for Wigan and four in 34 for his country.