It's a rarity to encounter a footballer who has turned out for both Liverpool and Manchester United
12 Aug 2001: Michael Owen of Liverpool attempts to tackle Gary Neville of Manchester United during the One 2 One FA Charity Shield between Liverpool and Manchester United at The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt/ALLSPORT
Michael Owen has found himself on both sides of the Liverpool and Manchester United divide(Image: Mike Hewitt, Getty Images)
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Former England striker Michael Owen is one of football's rare beasts - a player who turned out for both Liverpool and Manchester United. The striker's two former clubs are due to face off this weekend and his comments about those spells have come back to the fore.
Owen came through the ranks at Liverpool, winning multiple cups, before going on to claim a Premier League winners' medal at United. Despite this, Anfield remains closest to his heart and it pains him to know some supporters don't have the same fondness for him since he left in 2004.
The 46-year-old's switch to Old Trafford came after spells with Real Madrid and Newcastle but did little to win over supporters at his boyhood club. Plenty of fans have fond memories of his Liverpool spell, which brought more than 100 Premier League goals and more than 150 in all competitions, though he has faced some tough moments when he has returned.
"Well, I'm absolutely fine at both. I'm respected at Man United; the derby winner, Champions League hat-trick, goal in a cup final," Owen told the Daily Mail in 2021. "It's not like I'm one of their own, we know that, but there's mutual respect and good memories.
"But when I go through the doors at Liverpool, it's in my heart. I hated going back as a player. It felt like I was punching my brother. Being booed, I felt sick. My parents were shot to bits.
"It rarely happens now, the odd voice might shout, 'You Manc', but I can put it in a box. It doesn't stop me thinking I would love to have the legacy of Carra (Jamie Carragher) or Stevie (Steven Gerrard).
"They won the Champions League the season I left. I wanted my mates to win, absolutely, but part of me was gutted, "God, that could have been me". I have to accept that. It was my decision to leave."
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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool on March 06, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Owen has spoken about his Liverpool legacy(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Owen featured in several fixtures against United while at Liverpool. He found the net in a 1-1 stalemate as a teenager and also struck twice in a 3-1 Anfield triumph in 2001.
That 2001/02 campaign concluded with Liverpool edging United to second spot in the table, albeit both trailing Arsenal. It mirrors the situation this term, with neither club challenging for the title, though the teams are battling it out just below the top two of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Just three points divide United and Liverpool heading into Sunday's encounter. A victory for Arne Slot's reigning champions would be sufficient to overtake their opponents and climb into third place.