Man U star Mike Owen could hang up boots if Fergie does not renew contract
By ANIThursday, October 28, 2010
LONDON - Former England star striker Michael Owen has signaled that he might quit playing football if Manchester United decides to release him at the end of the 2010-11 season.
Owen, 30, is in the final season of a two-year deal and there have been no talks with boss Alex Ferguson about a possible extension.
“I would honestly love to stay, but you will have to ask the manager about the long term. I could score at this level for many years and would love it to be at a top club like United. Whether I would want to be dropping down to a poorer Premier League team, I don’t know,” The Sun quoted Owen, as saying.
“I just don’t feel my game is suited to a team that is really struggling. I won’t drop down leagues,” he added.
Owen is clearly still scarred from his time at a crisis-hit Newcastle.
“I have played in big teams before and played every game and I have played in a struggling team. I know which I prefer. When you play here, you play with quality,” Owen said.
Owen’s switch to United in July 2009 revived him but he has been restricted to 14 starts, scoring 12 goals. Injuries have hampered him too and a fresh hamstring tweak will keep him out for another month.
He said that if he does quit at the end of this season, he would love to do it with a Champions League or Premier League winners’ medal round his neck.
He also said that is already looking at life beyond his playing days, insisting: “I’m on my second stage of coaching badges and management is a real possibility. (ANI)
