New Manchester United signing Michael Owen is determined to prove the cynics wrong. Owen signed a two-year deal as Manchester United fans filled internet message boards questioning the capture of the injury-prone former Liverpool star.

But the striker promised to start next season with a bang and prove Alex Ferguson was spot-on to take a gamble on him.

Owen said: "I know there will be people out there saying 'maybe the manager shouldn't have signed me'. But when the first game kicks off I can do my talking on the pitch - and I want to start with a bang."

The 2001 European Footballer of the Year also wants to prove he is not a crock.

He said: "A lot has been made out of it - but I certainly do not think I'm injury-prone.

"I'm 29 and played more than 500 games at the highest level for clubs, and with England at international level, so I can't have been on the treatment table all the time.

"I want to improve on my injury record and, hopefully with the staff here, I'll be ready for every game. Everyone would have got injured had someone stamped on their foot."

Owen went through two rigorous medicals in London and Manchester - and then serious fitness tests at United's Carrington training ground.

He said: "I would like to think everyone was surprised at how the medical was.

"But I have passed them before and my fitness is fine."