Michael Owen believes Manchester United were among the clubs that missed an opportunity to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin before he moved to Leeds United.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin developed a reputation for injury problems while at Everton during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, when he made only 17 league appearances in each campaign. However, his fitness problems reduced during in his final two Premier League seasons with Everton, when he played 32 and 26 league games respectively.
He left Everton on a free transfer at the end of the 2024/25 season and joined Leeds on a three-year contract.
Owen believes United could have taken a chance
Speaking to Premier League Productions via TEAMtalk, Owen suggested a bigger club could have signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a backup.
“He has always struggled with injuries, but when he is fit, he is a hard man to handle. And with the lack of centre-forwards that has been around in recent years, I thought, with all due respect to Leeds, one of the bigger teams might have just taken a chance and had him as the backup.
“Maybe even a Manchester United. One or two sniffed around him, but Leeds put the money where their mouth was and got him, and he has repaid them.”
Calvert-Lewin has given Leeds plenty in return. He scored 14 Premier League goals in his first season at Elland Road and another in the FA Cup.
He has also started the current campaign strongly, scoring three times in his first four Premier League matches and adding another goal in the EFL Cup.
He now has 16 goals in 39 Premier League appearances for Leeds, supporting Owen’s suggestion that Manchester United could have considered him for extra depth in attack as they struggle for consistent results this season.
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