<div><p>Premier League champions Manchester United are set to sign out-of-favour England striker Michael Owen on a surprise free transfer deal, according to press reports on Friday.</p><p>The move could be tied up later in the day if Owen passes a medical.</p><p>Owen's contract with Newcastle, relegated from the top-flight last season, lapsed on July 1.</p><p>It seemed the only clubs interested in signing the 29-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker were Stoke and Hull -- both Premier League sides but teams for whom staying up was an achievement in itself.</p><p>However, they now appear to have been joined by United, who have seen forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez both leave Old Trafford since the end of last season.</p><p>United manager Alex Ferguson is reportedly planning to sign Owen, whose time at Newcastle was blighted by a succession of injury problems, on a pay-as-you-play deal.</p><p>Owen's weekly wage at Newcastle, for whom he scored 10 goals last season, was believed to be around 120,000 pounds but reports said he would take a substantial paycut to sign for a leading Premier League club.</p><p>The forward, who has scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances, has yet to persuade England coach Fabio Capello he has a future at international level.</p><p>But Owen's career could be rejuvenated by playing alongside the likes of striker Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.</p><p>United have yet to make a public comment about the proposed deal.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=54151466&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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