Michael Owen has to hide tears on Liverpool return after Man Utd transfer 'killed' him

Michael Owen has opened up about the emotional toll of his controversial transfer to Manchester United, confessing that he's shed tears upon returning to Anfield.

The Liverpool legend and former England star, who scored an impressive 158 goals in 297 appearances for the Reds, made a heart-wrenching move away from Anfield to Real Madrid in 2004, and then to Newcastle before ultimately signing with Manchester United.

The decision to join United has long haunted Owen , as he revealed in a candid 2018 Off The Ball interview about the pain he felt from the reception of Liverpool fans. "When I go back to Anfield and one or two people booed me, it was like a dagger in my heart for what I did for the club and how I felt about it. And how I still feel," he expressed.

Even after 15 years since his switch to the Red Devils, Owen shared on Jamie Carragher's Greatest Game podcast in 2020 that visits to Anfield have been excruciating. "It has been painful going back to Anfield. Crying in the players' lounge and hoping nobody sees. It has been torture for a long time," Owen admitted.

"It is like splitting up with your wife. I can only blame myself, I said yes to Real Madrid. I still love Liverpool. Different to [Carragher], you are still at that club being idolized. I was you."

Owen shared that the sting of jeers from fans who once adored him has "killed" him and admits the hurt inflicted by their contempt is something he just can't shake off.

"And yet there is a polarized opinion because of me thinking I will go away for a year and all of a sudden it is all ruined," he lamented.

The taunts persist; as Owen walks past the Kop, echoes of 'you Manc' still haunt him and remind him of his decision every day it's a pain etched deep that will never go away.