Sir Alex Ferguson call persuaded me to join Manchester United after Liverpool said no

Michael Owen has detailed how he almost signed for Everton before eventually joining Manchester United in the summer of 2009.

Owen was 29-years-old at the time and had just run down his contract at Newcastle United, who were relegated from the Premier League. He joined United on a free transfer, but injury concerns meant he signed a pay-as-you-play deal.

Owen's first port of call was actually to contact Liverpool, where he enjoyed incredible individual success as a young striker, but former teammate Jamie Carragher bluntly informed him that manager Brendan Rodgers wouldn't be interested. The former Ballon d'Or winner had limited options, and almost made the bold move of joining their Merseyside rivals Everton.

LUCKHURST: Onana is doing what De Gea did at United

ALSO READ: United are accidentally entertaining and have lost what Ten Hag craved

“After Liverpool said no, I was like… what do you want me to do?" Owen told Up Front With Simon Jordan. "My options were Hull City, Everton and Manchester United. They were the three teams which came in, in the Premier League. I had had my stint away [in Spain with Real Madrid]. So in the Premier League they were the three teams.

“With all due respect, Hull were in the relegation scrap, I didn’t really want to stay away again and play in a relegation scrap. I was still a decent player. Now I’m thinking Everton – I’m going to get absolutely [criticised], but I was prepared to go to Everton.

“I flew to America, David Moyes was on holiday, and played golf and spent a full day with him. I was a boyhood Everton fan but though I am going to be hated now – but I have got no other option.”

Owen looked set for a stint at Goodison Park as he flew back to the UK but not long after landing,