Michael Owen insists there is nowhere he would rather be than Manchester United.

Given his lack of appearances last term, it came as something of a surprise this summer when manager Sir Alex Ferguson handed Owen a new one-year contract.

The 31-year-old readily accepted, even though, with seven strikers on the present United States tour, competition for places will be huge.

Owen already knows he will be behind Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and, probably, Dimitar Berbatov in the pecking order, begging the question exactly how often he is going to play.

You never know when the manager is going to call on you and it is exciting to be part of that.
Michael Owen, Manchester United striker

"I am at the best team to be at," said Owen. "Where would you go from here? Every game is important. The only way is down. It is exciting to be part of a squad that is always competitive.

"There are so many games in a season at Manchester United. We probably play 20 or 30 more than a normal Premier League side, so there are lots to go round. You never know when the manager is going to call on you and it is exciting to be part of that."

Owen has scored goals in both United's pre-season games and is virtually certain to play some part in tonight's clash with Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire.

Ferguson has already confirmed David de Gea will start, while fellow U-21 internationals Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also set to play, ahead of Hernandez's planned arrival at the weekend.