Michael Owen

His arrival at Old Trafford may have raised a few eyebrows, but in Michael Owen, United have signed one of the finest goalscorers in the history of English football.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United striker has scored over 200 goals at club level, and 40 goals in 89 England internationals.

Owen burst to prominence at his boyhood side, Liverpool, where he scored on his first team debut aged just 17. His lightning pace, untraceable movement and clinical finishing made him a Premier League revelation, and it wasn’t long before he took the international stage by storm.


The 1998 World Cup in France was Michael’s springboard, as he scored an incredible solo goal in England’s second-round encounter with Argentina. While red-carded United winger David Beckham was left to carry the can for the Three Lions’ penalty shootout exit, Owen was a national hero.

His Liverpool career went from strength to strength, and in 2001 his part in the Merseysider’s triple cup haul of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup – together with international exertions, which included a hat-trick against Germany – earned him the Ballon d’Or and FWA Player of the Year awards.

Michael left Liverpool after eight years following the arrival of new manager Rafael Benitez, swapping countries with the new man at the Anfield helm as he moved to Real Madrid. Although he was only in La Liga for a season, Owen bagged 14 goals in 22 starts for Real before a surprise £16million move to Newcastle.

A spate of injuries underscored Owen’s career at St James’ Park, and his four seasons with the Magpies yielded only 65 starts, although he did still notch 30 goals in that time. Michael’s contract expired in the summer of 2009, at which point Sir Alex Ferguson swooped to sign the famed goal-poacher on a free transfer, offering him a two-year deal.