I really wanted to sign for Liverpool FC but instead joined Manchester United - and it was brilliant

After scoring 158 goals in just under 300 games for Liverpool, few could have ever imagined Michael Owen pulling on a Manchester United shirt.

But after one season at Real Madrid and four with Newcastle United Owen returned to the North West in July 2009, joining United on a free transfer. He signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford, strengthening Sir Alex Ferguson's attacking options.

Ferguson described Owen as a "world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level", suggesting he had been added to the squad because of his experience and his sixth sense for a goal. Aged 29 at the time of his arrival, the former England international was a risk-free signing such was the absence of a transfer fee.

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Despite initially putting pen to paper on a two-year deal, Owen ended up spending three years in M16, though his third consisted of just four appearances. Playing 52 times in total, he chipped in with 17 goals.

Of those 17, none of them are remembered more vividly than his 96th-minute winner against Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford in September 2009. Latching onto Ryan Giggs' excellent pass, Owen, with two touches of the ball, demonstrated why Ferguson had decided to add him to his ranks.

Had Owen had his way, he probably would have preferred to have started Liverpool's goalless draw with Stoke City at Anfield that same afternoon. After he decided to leave Newcastle at the end of the 2008/09 campaign he was desperate to return to Anfield for a second spell on Merseyside.

Instead, Liverpool strengthened their attack with the