Michael Owen, the guy who lit up the pitch for Liverpool with 158 goals and even bagged a Ballon d’Or in 2001, is still standing firm on his controversial move to Manchester United 17 years ago. He ain’t apologizing, not one bit.
The Line You Don’t Cross
Liverpool fans, man, they’re a loyal bunch. They get it when a player wants a new challenge or when an elite club comes calling. Even a move abroad can make sense sometimes. But there’s a line, a non-negotiable one, that you just don’t cross. We saw it with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate heading to Real Madrid, and it definitely felt familiar because of Owen. For those guys, Real Madrid was never the real problem, but for Owen? It was always Manchester United. He came through their academy, scored a ton, won individual awards, but for a lot of fans, legacy ain’t just about the stats. It’s about the choices you make, the timing, and who you represent *after* you’re gone. And Owen repping the Red Devils? That stung.
The Inside Story He Couldn’t Tell
Owen’s been repeating the same argument for years, and he gets why people are mad, but he’s just not sorry. His side of the story is pretty straightforward: Liverpool basically shut the door on him. He says he pushed to come back, he made the call, but they weren’t interested. So, from his perspective, what else was he supposed to do? He was thinking, “Alright, Hull City and Everton are showing interest. With all due respect, I think I’m too good for Hull.” While he was trying to figure out his next move, hoping for more options, guess who called? Sir Alex Ferguson. And yeah, Owen had already hit up Liverpool, but they just weren’t interested. He knew it too, man. He thought, “Liverpool fans are gonna hate me if I sign here.” But he was also thinking, “What do you want me to do?!” He believes if fans knew the full story, that he “had basically begged [Rafa] Benitez,” they’d see things totally differently. But he couldn’t spill the beans back then.
Still Unapologetic, Still Unforgiven
Fast forward all these years, and Owen’s stance hasn’t changed a bit. He said it himself: “The last thing I’m going to do is apologise for going to Manchester United, because the fans were great with me, the people were great with me, I absolutely loved my time there.” That’s honest, at least. He gets why some folks think he’s a “traitor” or “disloyal” if they don’t know the background. He just accepts it. But here’s the kicker: even with all the context, Liverpool fans usually just go right back to the same point. You wore that shirt. For many, that’s all that matters, and it looks like opinions on this one are never gonna shift.
Man, talk about a choice that just lives forever. Owen’s decision, and his steadfast defense of it, just shows how deep loyalties run in soccer. It’s not just about the goals or the trophies; it’s about the badge you wear, especially when you come up through the ranks. Some things, even 17 years later, just don’t get forgiven. Wild stuff.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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