Michael Owen has revealed his reaction when he learned that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him for Manchester United after a return to Liverpool was off the table.
Owen made his return to the Premier League with Newcastle after his ill-fated spell with Real Madrid, with the club paying a then-club-record fee to sign him in 2005.
The 43-year-old footballer-turned-pundit, who was plagued with injuries in his prolific career, left Newcastle in 2009 after the Magpies were relegated.
Owen’s status as a free agent at the time caught the interest of several clubs, including Liverpool’s rivals Everton, Aston Villa, Stoke City and Hull City.
Owen on Liverpool snub ahead of United move
Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, Owen admitted that he had been keen for a return to Anfield after his largely forgettable spell at Newcastle.
However, the former Liverpool and Madrid striker would learn from ex-teammate Jamie Carragher that the Reds weren’t interested in signing him.
“After Liverpool said no, I was like… what do you want me to do?” Owen told Simon Jordan.
“My options were Hull City, Everton and Manchester United. They were the three teams which came in, in the Premier League.
“I had had my stint away [in Spain with Madrid]. So, in the Premier League, they were the three teams.
“With all due respect, Hull were in the relegation scrap, I didn’t really want to stay away again and play in a relegation scrap.
“I was still a decent player. Now I’m thinking Everton — I’m going to get absolutely [criticised], but I was prepared to go to Everton.
“I flew to America, David Moyes was on holiday, and played golf and spent a full day with him. I was a boyhood Everton fan but thought I am going to be hated now — but I have got no other option.”
Ferguson comes knocking for Owen
With a move to Everton off the table, Owen’s club future was shrouded in mystery until Ferguson made the ambitious move to sign the ex-Liverpool star.
Ferguson surprised the world with his decision to sign Owen in 2009, with the ex-United manager calling him a “world-class forward” with a proven record at the time.
Owen, who praised the addition of one United summer signing last month, arrived on a free transfer at Old Trafford and was on a ‘pay-as-you-play’ deal.
According to reports at the time, the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner took a hefty wage cut from his £110,000-a-week salary at Newcastle to sign a deal with United.
Owen revealed that he had only learned of Ferguson’s interest after his meeting with David Moyes, with former England teammate Nicky Butt phoning him about it.
“I landed home and literally within a day Nicky Butt phoned me and said, ‘Just so you know, the gaffer is going to call you,’” he added.
“I said about what. And he said he wants to sign you.
“I was like, ‘You are joking,’ put the phone down and Sir Alex rang. I was like of course, I know Liverpool fans were going to hate me [if I join United] but I was like, what can I do?”
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