Owen closes in on his next move

Life after Manchester United may be in the United Arab Emirates for Michael Owen, as he weighs up a possible move to Al Shabab.

The 32-year-old is a free agent after his release by the Red Devils this summer and a number of clubs are known to be chasing the signature of the former England international. Stoke had initially emerged as the favourites to land the striker following the end of his injury plagued three-year stay at Old Trafford, but now talks are taking place to tempt him to take up a completely new challenge. Owen is convinced he still has two or three "good" years left in him, but the prospect of a lucrative switch to UAE could well appeal to him as he is already a regular visitors to that part of the world. The Dubai club confirmed their interest in the former Real Madrid man via Twitter, saying: "Michael Owen has been identified as a candidate to play for Shabab next season and we are in negotiations with his management team. The player's agent is in Dubai to close the deal."