Michael Owen opens up on 'embarrassing' Man Utd regret - 'It's killing me'

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Michael Owen spoke about his struggles in the second half of his career(Image: Getty)

Michael Owen has opened up on struggling to deal mentally with his decline during the latter stages of his career at Manchester United.

He claimed the league's golden boot award in his first two full seasons before making his mark on the international stage with a stunning strike against Argentina aged 18 at the World Cup 1998.

After playing a pivotal role in Liverpool's Treble success with the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001 - which earned him the Ballon d'Or - he secured a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004.



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Owen spent just one campaign in La Liga before his £16.8million switch to Newcastle, where persistent muscle injuries meant he was sidelined for lengthy periods across the following four seasons on Tyneside.

His fitness woes continued at Manchester United and later Stoke City, with the striker eventually opting to retire in 2013.

The 45-year-old recently appeared on the Rio Presents podcast, where former Red Devils team-mate Rio Ferdinand asked him about the drop off from going from an elite environment to one that isn’t.

Owen instead reflected on his own career, explaining he views it in two distinct halves: pre and post injury troubles.

The pundit said: “Well, I've said before, I mean, I sort of split my career into two.

Following his 16-goal haul in 45 appearances for Real Madrid, his numbers plummeted dramatically as injuries mounted and his electric pace diminished.

Speaking about his spells at Newcastle, United and Stoke, he candidly said: “I had it for eight years, when I'm thinking, ‘I don't like this.’ I was looking at the clock half of my career, thinking only 20 minutes.

I could still play well.

Owen didn't want fans to remember him for the second half of his career (Image: ANDREW YATES, AFP via Getty Images)

“I couldn't rip a team's heart out anymore.