Michael Owen scores winning goal in Man United debut in 3-2 victory over Malaysian team

Owen scores winner on Man United debut in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Michael Owen made an immediate impact in his Manchester United debut Saturday, coming off the bench to score with five minutes left in a 3-2 victory over a Malaysian all-star squad in the team’s Asian tour opener.

The striker, who joined Man United on a free transfer from Newcastle, scored after the Premier League champions surrendered a two-goal lead to Malaysian XI before a crowd of 85,000.

Owen pounced on a loose ball after Darron Gibson’s pass to Ryan Giggs was blocked by goalkeeper Mohamad Farizal Marlias. Owen replaced Wayne Rooney in the 61st minute.

“Michael is different to the other strikers we have here,” manager Alex Ferguson said. “He’s always searching for that space in and around the box, and he reacted really well to take his goal.”

Rooney put United ahead in the eighth minute and set up a goal in the 27th minute with a cross to Nani. as the half ended, Mohamad Amri Yahyah chipped a 25-yard shot over United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Malaysia tied it in the 52nd, with Amri beating substitute goalie Ben Foster.

Man United plays Malaysian XI again Monday in Kuala Lumpur after its trip to Indonesia was canceled because of Friday’s bombing of the Jakarta hotel where the team was to stay. The team will depart Wednesday for the next leg of the Asia tour in Seoul and then head to China.