Michael Owen: I could never have imagined winning a Premier League title with Manchester United when I was a Liverpool player

Michael Owen, Manchester United (Getty Images)

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Michael Owen admitted in the wake of lifting the Premier League trophy that he could never have envisaged winning a league title with Manchester United when he he was a player at Liverpool.

Owen scored 158 times in 297 appearances for the Merseyside club, before an £8 million move to Real Madrid.

He moved to Newcastle in 2005 before Sir Alex Ferguson signed him on a free transfer in 2009, but since the signing of Javier Hernandez last summer he has been reduced to 11 appearances this season, most of which have come from the substitutes bench.

Owen, though, was delighted to secure his first ever Premier League medal: “Yeah it’s great obviously. You can have a good career, but there’s a lot of top players who have never won a trophy or never won a league so obviously I’m incredibly proud and privileged to play with such good players, such a great arena, the fans and obviously the manager. It’s been a real eye-opener.”

When asked if as a Liverpool player he would have envisaged winning a league title for United he said: “Well, you wouldn’t believe it, but you never know what twists and turns your career’s going to take.

“It was a fantastic feeling when I knew the manager wanted me to join the ranks here. It’s been a real eye-opener, a fantastic experience, I’ve loved every minute of it.

“To have won the league is probably the pinnacle of anyone’s career.

“In my first year I played a reasonable amount. I had some great highs, I obviously scored in the cup final, a hat-trick in Europe, the Champions League and scoring that winner in the derby, a lot of people will remember me for.

“So the first season was fantastic, but this year I haven’t played as much – 11 Premier League games and obviously that qualifies you for a medal.

“I’ve nearly got the full set now. Obviously if we can win the Champions League next weekend then that will be the full set which is fantastic.”

Owen’s goal against Blackpool was just his second this season in the league and he is hoping that it is a timely reminder for manager Sir Alex Ferguson before Saturday’s clash against Spanish champions Barcelona.

He added: “Well I don’t know about starting. The manager knows what I can do, I’ve scored reasonably consistently throughout my career. I doubt I’m going to start in the Champions League final, but if we need someone to come off the bench and nick a goal, then you never know.”