Ryan Giggs has tipped Michael Owen to break Sir Bobby Charlton's England goal-scoring record.
Giggs eclipsed one of Charlton's landmark feats himself a year ago when he overtook his mark of 759 Manchester United appearances. Now up to 805 and still going strong, Giggs has been impressed by the speed with which Owen has integrated himself into the Old Trafford dressing room.
With four goals on the Far East tour and the prospect of more to come as United return to Europe for the four-team Audi Cup later this week, it would seem Owen is bound to come to England boss Fabio Capello's attention eventually.
Capello has consistently ignored Owen since the early games of his reign, claiming the sharp-shooter was simply not fit enough to be in contention for a place in his squad.
However, while he admits England's fortunes are none of his business, Giggs does not think it would take Owen long to score the nine goals he needs to equal Charlton's milestone of 49.
''He has it in him to do it,'' said the veteran Welshman. ''It has been a difficult record to overhaul because obviously it has stood for so long.
''But when you analyse Michael's career and look at the number of times he has played for England and the goals he has got, if he plays another 15 times he would probably do it.''
The first opportunity could come in Holland on August 12, four days before United begin the defence of their Premier League title against Birmingham.
Whether Capello can form an opinion on Owen from pre-season matches is open to debate but with another friendly against Slovenia immediately before the September 9 World Cup qualifier with Croatia, there are other opportunities, with others to follow that if the Three Lions beat Slaven Bilic's men to book their place at South Africa 2010.
And Owen could well be involved given he looks like a different player to the one who struggled so badly at Newcastle last term.
''Michael has said himself he was a bit surprised when United came in for him,'' observed Giggs. ''He has been at Newcastle and they have had a lot of trouble over the last couple of seasons, so to come into a side like Manchester United has obviously given him a new lease of life. He knows with the chances we do make, he will put them away.''
In fact, United have not had a goal poacher like Owen since Ruud van Nistelrooy left in controversial circumstances three years ago.
''Michael is a predator, which is something we don't presently have,'' said Giggs. ''We have had players like that over the years. Ruud is an obvious one. Andy Cole was another. They come alive in the box.
''From what I have seen over the years, the thing about Michael is that if he misses a chance it doesn't bother him one little bit. Some players go into their shell. It doesn't bother him at all.
''He knows he is going to get another chance. Ruud had the same mentality. All top goalscorers have it.
''They know they are going to get chances, so if they miss one, they just think, 'So what?'.''
If Owen can stay fit and keep hitting the target, United will not be far away from landing a record fourth successive championship, and going one clear of Liverpool in the overall standings on 19.
Giggs certainly feels his club are in better shape than many felt when Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez quit in quick succession.
''The squad is good. We have lost Cristiano and Carlos but we have other players coming through,'' said Giggs, reeling off the names of Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia - who will both link up with their team-mates in Germany - and England Under-19 forward Danny Welbeck as additions to the party that has been on duty in Asia.
''We also have Owen Hargreaves to come back, which will be like having a new signing, so I still think this is a title-winning squad.''
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