Could the former Liverpool striker be heading to Old Trafford?

If the bookmakers are to be believed, Manchester United could be on the verge of filling the Carlos Tevez sized gap in their squad with a striker who is sincere, clean & fresh and, most importantly of all, first class.

The Red Devils are now down to evens with Sky Bet to sign former Newcastle forward Michael Owen, having previously been available at 20/1.

Coincidentally, Karim Benzema’s move to Real Madrid prompted discussion in The Spoiler office yesterday about the possibility of Sir Alex Ferguson signing a domestic striker to play second fiddle to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov next season. Unfortunately, as we were only factoring Premier League strikers into the equation, Owen slipped our mind.

Do you think there is any substance to the rumour or have there simply been some misguided bets placed this afternoon? If not Owen, are there any strikers playing in England who it might be worth United gambling on? Let us know your opinion with a comment below.

UPDATE: Owen is now 4/7 4/9 to join Manchester United.

Avram Grant is 2/1 joint-favourite to return

Chelsea will be forced to employ a fourth manager in just eighteen months after announcing the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Blues fans directed a chorus of “you don’t know what you’re doing” at the Brazilian after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Hull saw them slip below Aston Villa into fourth but there was no real speculation that the axe was about to fall.

Ray Wilkins has been placed in temporary charge and the leading contenders to take over according to Sky Bet are Guus Hiddink, Avram Grant, Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini. Former assistant Steve Clarke may also be in contention although Gianfranco Zola said this weekend that he has no intention of leaving West Ham.

Let us know with a comment below whether you think Chelsea were right to sack Scolari and who you think should be appointed manager number five of the Roman Abramovich era.