Michael Owen's career so far

Michael Owen, aged 15 playing for England Schoolboys against Brazil at Wembley in 1995 Photograph: Richard Gardner/Rex Features

Michael Owen scores on his Liverpool debut after coming on as a substitute against Wimbledon in May 1997 Photograph: Andy Hooper/Rex Features

League form led to a call-up for the World Cup in 1998. He came off the bench to score against Romania in the group stages Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty Images

He was rewarded with a start in the second round match against Argentina. Owen scored the goal that made him so famous, but the match ended 2-2 and England crashed out on penalties once again Photograph: Action Images

Despite England's early exit from the World Cup, Michael Owen was named the 1998 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in London Photograph: Jamie Mcdonald

Michael Owen was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 2001 League Cup final win but given his chance to shine in the FA Cup final against Arsenal, his late brace took the cup to Anfield Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Liverpool and Owen completed a treble of honours that season by winning the UEFA Cup Final against Deportivo Alaves at the Westfallenstadion, Dortmund, Germany Photograph: Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

Michael Owen racked up 100 league goals after scoring 4 times in a 6-0 rout of West Bromwich Albion on 26 April 2003 Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

After a few more potent seasons at Liverpool he moved to Real Madrid in 2004 Photograph: Rex Features

However he was to spend much of his time there on the bench Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

A season later Owen joined Newcastle United Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Reuters

The 2006 World Cup was short-lived for Owen. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the first minute of a group match against Sweden Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

Owen leaves the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester after having a medical ahead of his proposed move to United Photograph: Jon Super/AP