Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004, but his controversial decision to join Manchester United five years later remains a sore subject for many Reds fans
Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004, but his controversial decision to join Manchester United five years later remains a sore subject for many Reds fans Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004, but his controversial decision to join Manchester United five years later remains a sore subject for many Reds fans
Michael Owen has boldly claimed he would describe his status at Liverpool as ‘legendary’ despite his controversial switch to Manchester United in 2009 – which did not go down well with the Anfield faithful.
The Chester-born ex-England ace, who started his Merseyside football career at the tender age of 12, rose rapidly through the ranks in the late 1990s to become a key player for the Reds.
He replaced an injured Robbie Fowler in the starting XI come 1998, becoming the Premier League Golden Boot co-winner that season under Roy Evans. Following a successful treble, Owen clinched the Ballon d’Or in 2001 but was soon lured away by Real Madrid in 2004. After a brief stint in Spain, he returned to the Premier League with Newcastle United.
Despite later donning the shirt of the bitter rival Red Devils – a move that left many Liverpool fans aggrieved – the 45-year-old is confident about his legacy at Anfield and how the club’s faithful perceive him.
In a BBC Sport interview with ex-Manchester United forward Dion Dublin, when quizzed if he sees himself as a Liverpool legend, Owen chuckled and looked away, before confidently responding: “In my eyes? Yeah!”
Owen’s career took a downturn after a less-than-stellar period at Real Madrid and a series of injuries, leading him to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils in 2009 on a pay-as-you-play basis as a bit-part player, taking over Cristiano Ronaldo’s former No. 7 shirt.
His only Premier League title came during his three-year stint at Old Trafford, however, facing up against old side Liverpool certainly wasn’t easy during that period.
“I didn’t like it [facing Liverpool],” he confessed. “I didn’t like it, no. Don’t get me wrong, I signed for Manchester United and loved my time there. I could’ve signed for Everton! I would’ve been hated no matter what I did.”
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Owen’s unease wasn’t limited to his time with United, either, as he felt similarly when returning to Anfield with Newcastle, who he had joined after just one year in the Spanish capital.
“Forget it was Manchester United,” Owen elaborated. “I hated going back [to Anfield] with Newcastle as well. I just didn’t like playing for any other team against Liverpool.”
The ex-England star has previously opened up about his transfer to St James’ Park from the Bernabeu in 2005 – a move he now reflects on with some regret.
In his autobiography ‘Reboot – My Life, My Time,’ Owen admitted: “I should have followed my gut instincts. I didn’t want to go there [Newcastle] – my heart was set on a return to Liverpool.
“From a career perspective, there was no doubt in my mind that a move to the North East was a downward step. As unpalatable as that opinion might be to Newcastle fans, that’s more or less what I felt.”
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Mirror – Sport