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Owen - We can cope without Ronaldo
Manchester United, 14:59, July 19, 2009 ,
Michael Owen says Manchester United's players must share the responsibility of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford this season.
Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid this summer means the Premier League champions have lost a player who has contributed a huge 67 goals in the past two campaigns, but Owen believes his new side can cope.
The striker scored the winner on his United debut as Sir Alex Ferguson's side beat a Malaysia XI 3-2 on Saturday and the former Liverpool favourite is hoping he can share the goalscoring burden with the likes of Wayne Rooney and fellow new-boy Antonio Valencia.
"Hopefully I might add something the team haven't got at the moment," Owen said.
"Nobody is going to replace Ronaldo, even though I wear his shirt, but if someone like Wayne (Rooney) could improve his game five per cent, that would help. I can add a little bit, there is Antonio Valencia.
"Everyone is going to have to step up to the plate a bit more to make up for him."
With Owen in seemingly confident mood ahead of the new campaign, punters may wish to use their £10 free bet to back United for another title success next term.