Former Manchester United star Michael Owen believes Anthony Martial should be more consistent with his performances upfront for the Red Devils. The France international has experienced a mixed season for the Mancunian giants this term but he has still managed to contribute nine goals in all competitions.

Out of those, two came during the 4-1 league win over Newcastle United where he pounced upon the Magpies’ defensive errors but Owen still has question marks over the forward’s consistency. Speaking on Premier League productions, Owen said that the Frenchman needs to produce the same level of performances on a regular basis, he told: “I think when we talk about consistency, Martial would be the one you would label. If Manchester United were back and firing on all cylinders at the top of the table, I think he would be much more consistent as a player.”

Former Liverpool and Newcastle United star Michael Owen believes the return of Andy Carroll should provide a boost for the Magpies going forward. The England international rejoined the Magpies on a free transfer this summer and he only made his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend after recovering from an ankle problem.
Carroll could not help the Magpies to find the winning goal in a 0-0 draw and he was still lively on the playing field during a 10-minute cameo, where he was hugely appreciated by the fans. Speaking on Premier League Matchday Live, Owen said that manager Steve Bruce would be delighted with the return of Carroll and believes the marksman should provide a lift to the team during the coming games.

“I think he would have been delighted to get Andy Carroll on as well. That would have been a relief,” he told after the goalless stalemate. “It is just that momentum. He doesn't have to do anything. Just him being on the pitch gives them a lift and for him to only play 10 minutes plus injury time was a big sigh of relief for the Brighton camp.”

They say hitting the back of the net is the hardest part of the game. Not according toMichael Owen. The one-time golden boy of English football made it look easy during his five club domestic career and on the international stage.

Plenty of standout memories then. Time for a trip down memory lane…

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is pleased that Rafael Camacho has made the return to Sporting this summer. The 19-year-old managed just two appearances with the Reds during the course of the campaign and that urged him to make the return to Portugal rather than considering an extension with the Merseyside outfit.

Speaking to O Jogo, Van Dijk said that Camacho has plenty of potential within himself and he is pleased that the youngster will continue his development with Sporting, he told: "He is still young, has a lot to learn. He has been in Sporting's youth set-up and probably feels like returning home. I am happy for him and I hope he is happy. He has quality and he knows what he has to do, because we all know that there are many players who have quality, but then they lack the rest."

Michael Owen has praised the current crop of Liverpool players after they ended the long wait for a trophy with the Champions League title. The Reds had not won any form of silverware since the 2012 League Cup but they managed to end the piece of unwanted history by beating Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League crown.

Speaking on BT Sport, Owen applauded the efforts of the Reds team and said that the Champions League glory could be the beginning of a cycle of success under Jurgen Klopp, he told: “It’s absolutely brilliant. Liverpool have played so well all season and what have they been given for it in the Premier League? Nothing. So who cares if they played well or poorly – the main thing today was getting over that line and getting your hands on that trophy, because this team are unbelievable. This is their cycle now. They have to win trophies while they’re at the top of their game. And they’ve gone and won the big one for starters.”