Forget all the records and trophies, Owen's greatest honour was surely having crisps named after him. 'Cheese and Owen' - inspired stuff...
Having demolished schoolboy scoring records and made his Liverpool debut at 17, Michael Owen hit national consciousness with a stunning goal for England against Argentina at France 98.
After his pace and calmness in front of goal bagged him 158 goals in 257 starts for Liverpool, Owen moved to Real Madrid for £8m in August 2004. Despite an excellent scoring return per minute on the pitch, Owen couldn’t break into the team and, with a World Cup on the horizon, moved to Newcastle for £16m in August 2005 on a four-year contract.
After seven goals in 11 games he broke a metatarsal that Christmas, returning in time to rupture an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on England duty at Germany 2006. Returning in April 2007, Owen was made captain by new boss Kevin Keegan in January 2008 and adapted his game, playing in a slightly deeper role, but without losing his eye for goal.
However more frustration was to follow in 2008/09, with Owen in and out of the side through injury and the Magpies struggling for form and eventually being relegated.
With his contract about to expire, a move to Hull initially looked Owen's best option, but Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in to take the England striker to Manchester United in a move that shocked football.
If Owen can keep up his goals to games ratio, and keep himself fit enough to be involved for a decent part of the season, he could well play an important role in Sir Alex's side.