Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:45
Any hopes David Moyes had of snatching Michael Owen from under rivals' noses have been dashed as he is set for a shock move to Man Utd.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid star is available on a free transfer having fallen out of contract at Newcastle this month, with Aston Villa, Hull and Stoke as well as Everton keeping tabs on his situation.
Some bookmakers have slashed the odds on Owen joining the Premier League champions, who have added just Antonio Valencia to their ranks so far this close season.
Having lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer and missed out on Lyon frontman Karim Benzema, Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping up his attempts to add to his striking options.
But Owen's injury record means the Red Devils are set to make sure he is the right man as the discarded England international looks to make it back into Fabio Capello's squad ahead of the World Cup.