Having just turned 33 years old, can Michael Owen have another good Premier League season before he eventually retires?
Now, over 15 years since a young, energetic Owen burst onto the scene at Liverpool, the striker is currently working hard behind the scenes at Stoke City in an attempt to regain full fitness. This Saturday’s visit of Everton will come too soon for the former England international, however, meaning that he will be unable to celebrate his birthday weekend with a goal against his boyhood club.
Prior to winning his first ever Premier League Winners’ medal in 2011, Owen’s last big moments in football all came during his debut season for Manchester United. A 96th minute winner in the Manchester derby meant that he would forever be remembered at Old Trafford, whilst a hat-trick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League and a goal in the club’s 2010 League Cup final victory were also highlights.
Owen personally did not enjoy as much success during his last two seasons with the Red Devils, as injury again began to interrupt his progress. However, despite making only four appearances for the first team in his final year at United, he still managed to find the net three times.
There is no doubting that Owen was a quality footballer, who on his day was up there with the best players in the world, but such use of the past tense would not sit well with the former Real Madrid striker.
Can Michael Owen avoid injury for long enough to prove himself once again and remind people why he was once the hero of the nation?