🚨 Michael Owen Reveals “Embarrassment” Over His Time at Manchester United
Former England striker Michael Owen has opened up to Rio Ferdinand about the difficult emotions he carried during his spell at Manchester United, admitting he often felt like an “embarrassment” despite still being able to score goals.
🗣️ Owen’s Honest Confession
Speaking on Rio Meets, Owen revealed that he mentally divided his career into two parts:
- Liverpool and Real Madrid – where he felt at his peak and could “rip teams’ hearts out.”
- Later Years (Newcastle, Man United, Stoke) – where he admits he wasn’t the same player anymore.
“I split my career in two. Liverpool and Real Madrid. Afterwards, I just wasn’t the same. I loved it at Man United, but it wasn’t for me.
It’s like, can I not just change my name and call myself something else? I don’t want people to remember me. It was killing me. I could still score. I couldn’t rip a team’s heart out anymore.”
🧠 Mental Struggles Behind Retirement
Owen also confessed he did not retire due to physical decline but rather the mental toll of not being the player he once was.
“I didn’t retire because of my body. I retired because my mind was about to explode. And I couldn’t have it anymore that I was just a Premier League player.”
⚽ Owen at Manchester United
- Joined United in 2009 after leaving Newcastle.
- Scored 17 goals in 52 appearances.
- Won the Premier League (2010–11) and League Cup (2010).
- Famous for his last-minute winner in the 4–3 Manchester Derby (2009).
Despite silverware, Owen admits the joy of football had already started slipping away, and the high expectations of his early career weighed heavily on him.
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Michael Owen opens up to Rio Ferdinand about feeling “embarrassment” during his Manchester United career, admitting mental struggles pushed him into retirement despite still being able to score goals..
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