I hide my tears when I go back to Liverpool - my Man United decision killed me

Michael Owen has confessed the emotional toll he still endures over his transfer to Manchester United.

The 44-year-old scored an impressive 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool before leaving for Real Madrid in 2004, only to make a return to English football with Newcastle before making the controversial decision to sign with United.

Owen's choice to join the Red Devils continues to haunt him, evidenced by his candid revelations during a 2018 'Off The Ball' interview where he described the pain of being booed at Anfield.

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"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," admitted Owen.

Despite his illustrious career, which includes a Ballon d'Or win, Owen detailed on Jamie Carragher's 'Greatest Game' podcast in 2020 how returning to Anfield remains a deeply painful experience. "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," he revealed.

"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 idolised. I was you."

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Owen has candidly expressed the emotional toll of