Owen on a free I don't believe it

If you had said last month "Michael Owen comes to United on a free transfer" most fans would have looked askance, pulled a face and dismissed the claim. Not had the best of luck with injuries since leaving Liverpool, not done a lot. But you never know. If Fergie invites you over for breakfast and offers a deal, even a pay per play deal you'd say "where do i sign". Especially with the 2010 World Cup coming up. A bit of a performance in a red shirt and you get handed a place in the three lions the following week.

Warming to the idea. I reckon the pace has gone but certainly not the skill in front of goal. If it is a pay per play deal it's surprising how recuperative it works. Louis Saha, great at Fulham, on a sick note in Manchester, but 24 appearances at Everton last season with six goals, some of them match winners.

Not reported in the news was Sean McGinty coming from Charlton Athletic, and Alberto Massacci from Empoli. Young lads for the Academy, and then the Reserves and who knows....

The media don't try to understand footie. Oh how do you replace Ronaldo, Schmeichel, Cantona, Tevez, Law, Charlton, Best. You don't you build a team with someone who is going to sneak goals, or hold up their attack, cover the wings, or just do the perfect long ball to the other side of the field.

New Signing from Wigan & Ecuador

Always good to hear about a new signing a winger from Wigan. It's always optimistic. At least we all know Antonio Valencia can hold his own in the Premiership, no need for a settling in period. He's already been on Match of the Day and he knows what the weather is like.

So with Tevez and Ronaldo departed, will there be another signing this summer? Will Frazier Campbell return from his loan spell at Hull City? I ignore all the newspaper speculation - gossip, agent's rumours and blatantly made up by journalists desperate to file a few paragraphs for the next deadline. I'll just have to wait for the official announcements.

Only one more empty month of no football until I start going to matches again. Two months off isn't bad. I was checking some old stats and 100 years ago they had a four month break for summer.

Tevez leaves the red shirts behind

Don't know what's been going on behind the scenes but Carlos Tevez will not be playing for Manchester United in the number 32 shirt ever again. Some other club will get a great player. Half expected this to happen because when it comes to contracts United usually act promptly and this one dragged on far too long.

Yes I'm one of those many, many fans at Old Trafford who had Tevez as one of their favourites. We just loved the energy, the commitment and never conceding there was a lost ball..

Seasons 2007-8, 2008-9. Appearances 69, Goals 19 - some of them match winners.