Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has opened up on how he tried to block Michael Owen’s move to Manchester United.
Owen made the controversial switch to Old Trafford in the summer of 2009, after leaving Newcastle United on a free transfer following their relegation to the Championship.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward went onto to make 52 appearances in all competitions for United over a three-year spell, scoring 17 goals, including a last-gasp winner against Manchester City.
“I don’t know what else I can do," Owen admitted when asked about his move to Old Trafford by Carragher on his Greatest Game podcast.
“At the time I am thinking ‘I can go top of the league, Manchester United, mid table Everton, or bottom Hull'. I would live away from home if I was at Hull. I don’t know what I could have done.
“You would do exactly the same and you know it.”
However, things could have been very different had Carragher got his way with then Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
After getting wind of the proposed move, the Bootle-born Kop icon phoned the Spaniard to try and persuade him to sign Owen in a bid to stop him going to United.
“I get it," Carragher said. "Someone told me. I got wind of it and I phoned you straight away, you went 'yeah I am signing in two days'.
“I got in touch with Rafa, said 'listen Owen is on a free and he is about to sign for Man United in two days. Whether you like him or not, do it to stump Man United'."
