Manchester United and Liverpool will reignite their fierce rivalry once again this Sunday as the two teams meet in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford.
United take on Jurgen Klopp’s men looking to book a trip to Wembley Stadium for next month’s semi-final. However, their rivals are on course to win four trophies this season – having already lifted the Carabao Cup – and competing for the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
It’s set up to be an FA Cup thriller on Sunday afternoon as both sides look to earn the bragging rights. One man who has tasted both sides of the coin is Michael Owen.
The former striker scored 158 goals for Liverpool after coming through their academy. After spells at Real Madrid and Newcastle, Owen joined United under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009.
His move to Old Trafford did not go down well with the Anfield faithful, with the striker revealing he ‘hated’ returning to Merseyside. Since the change of allegiance, Owen believes there is mutual respect between the two sides.
“Well, I’m absolutely fine at both. I’m respected at Man United; the derby winner, Champions League hat-trick, goal in a cup final. It’s not like I’m one of their own, we know that, but there’s mutual respect and good memories,” he told the Daily Mail in 2021.
“But when I go through the doors at Liverpool, it’s in my heart. I hated going back as a player. It felt like I was punching my brother. Being booed, I felt sick. My parents were shot to bits.
“It rarely happens now, the odd voice might shout, ‘You Manc’, but I can put it in a box. It doesn’t stop me thinking I would love to have the legacy of Carra (Jamie Carragher) or Stevie (Steven Gerrard).”
“They won the Champions League the season I left. I wanted my mates to win, absolutely, but part of me was gutted, “God, that could have been me”. I have to accept that. It was my decision to leave.”
