Rio Ferdinand is delighted England teammate Michael Owen has joined Manchester United.

The United defender said: "He is one of those players you might not see for 90 minutes but in time added on, he will score a goal.

"Those are the type of players you need to win things.

"It is great to have him in our squad because he is such a good player and a fantastic lad to have around.

"Fingers crossed he can have an injury free season and score some goals for us."

The reaction to news of Owen being targeted as a replacement following the failed attempt to sign Karim Benzema was first stunned amazement, then dismay, before finally they arrived at a general feeling of nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Ferdinand probably felt the same, although his time with Owen wearing England's Three Lions gives him an insight available to few others.

"The lads get a great buzz out of seeing someone like Michael Owen score goals," he said.

"When he signed for the club there were a lot of doubters out there. People were saying all kinds of things about him. We have heard it all.

"But the players go in there with an open mind and just hope to see the player we know Michael can be."

It has to be said, the initial signs are encouraging.

"So far this pre-season he has played two games and scored two goals," he said.

"That speaks for itself. When he is on his game, there are not many better finishers in world football."