When Sir Alex Ferguson signed Michael Owen in 2009, many thought he was past his best after a successful career with top clubs such as Liverpool and Real Madrid. His fitness issues affected him at Manchester United and later Stoke City, with the striker eventually opting to retire in 2013.
Owen remains the youngest player to score 100 Prem goals at 23 years four months and 12 days, and won countless awards such as Golden Boots and even the Ballon d'Or.
However, he does have regrets and as he spoke to former Red Devils team-mate Rio Ferdinand, he says his time at United was one of his lowest points even if he loved it at the club.
“Well, I've said before, I mean, I sort of split my career into two. Almost Liverpool and maybe Madrid. And then afterwards, because I just wasn't the same. Not that I didn't like it. I loved it at United. I love you and the lads and whatever.
“But I'm not me. I'm not me. You know what I was when I was 18. And you know what I was when I was 30. It's like, I was half embarrassed. I'm coming out, they've been to these big stadiums, St James' Park, Old Trafford, with my name on my back.
“It's like, can I not just change my name and just think of something, like call me something else? I don't want people to remember me like this. Still good, still scoring. But I'm not what I was. It's killing me. But it's like, what can you do?”
Owen’s United career was wrecked by injuries. He played 52 games in three years, scoring 17 goals and the once great goalscorer was reduced to a shadow of his old self. He ended his career with an impressive record of 222 goals across 482 matches, alongside 40 goals in 89 England appearances but will always look back on his time at United with regret and slight embarrassment.