MICHAEL OWEN HAS hit back at the “angels” condemning his claim during Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool that the Reds should “go and kick Marcus Rashford on the ankle” he injured early in the game.
Rashford was clattered by Jordan Henderson in the opening exchanges, which left him hobbling around the field.
It appeared that United would be forced to replace Rashford, but he ended up having to stay on the field as others tumbled around him.
Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard all came and went for United inside the first half, while Roberto Firmino presented Liverpool with an untimely injury headache.
With Rashford forced to stay on despite being a long way short of full fitness, Owen suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s side should look to take advantage of that.
As part of his punditry, the former United and Liverpool striker said as the sides emerged for the second half: “I tell you what, if I was Jurgen Klopp in that dressing room at half-time with Manchester United not being able to bring on another substitute, I’d be saying ‘Right, first person, first opportunity, go and kick Rashford on the ankle that he has been limping on’”.
Owen saw his comments widely condemned on social media.
As someone who endured his fair share of injuries during his own career, it was pointed out to the ex-England striker that he should not be wishing ill on others.
The 39-year-old insists that was never his intention and claims he was merely pointing out what would have been discussed inside the Liverpool dressing room in an effort to gain the upper hand.
He posted on Twitter: “Hadn’t realised there were so many angels here on twitter. For everyone in uproar over my comments yesterday, get real. As an ex-player I am employed to give my views and insights into what happens at football clubs all over the land.
“Nobody was advocating giving Marcus Rashford a serious injury but with three subs already used if his ankle was so uncomfortable he couldn’t continue then of course that would be discussed in every changing room in the land.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not too happy with the rough treatment he felt Rashford received against Liverpool, but was quick to hail the 21-year-old’s fighting spirit.
“Marcus is a warrior and he’s a Manc and he knows what this game means.
“We had to keep him on, because we already had to make three subs. It seemed like it was their plan, to just kick him, because they kept kicking him from the first minute.
“If that’s not an accumulation of fouls I don’t know. But he stayed on. His ankle is like a balloon, so it was a fantastic attitude by him.
“He’s angry because of how many fouls they did on him.”
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He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though