Michael Owen has been set a target of 15 goals by manager Sir Alex Ferguson. the striker has scored two goals in his first three games for United since signing on a free transfer from relegated Newcastle United.

“If you look at his record over the years, even the last two years at Newcastle when they were going through a difficult time, he scored one in every two games,” Fergie said at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game.

“He is easily capable of reaching that level again. If he plays 25 games for me this season, I think we’ll get 15 goals.”

It seems a reasonable target when you consider how prolific he has been throughout his career. his Liverpool days were by far his best and you have to feel those days are behind him now, but the predatory instinct is something that a striker never loses. If he gets into the right positions he’ll score plenty of goals, especially in a team like ours that create chances for fun.