Michael Owen not retiring despite Manchester United release

Michael Owen says he does not plan to retire, despite Manchester United confirming the striker would not be offered a new contract at Old Trafford. The 32-year-old said he would "contemplate his next move" during a short holiday, but was not ready to give up his top-flight playing career.

"The Championship is not an option," he said. "I'd like to think I haven't lost the ability to score goals at the highest level. "I may look further afield."



Michael Owen

Michael Owen stats:

• Liverpool (1996-2004): 297 games, 158 goals
• Real Madrid (2004-05): 40 games, 14 goals
• Newcastle (2005-09): 79 games, 30 goals
• Man Utd (2009-12): 52 games, 17 goals

And, speaking to Sky Sports News, the former England striker added: "I still feel good and, even though I've had a few injuries, I don't wake up with sore joints." The ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle striker was told of United's decision not to renew his contract following his appearance in a testimonial for former Reds goalkeeper Harry Gregg in Belfast on Tuesday.

"I have loved every minute I have spent at such a fantastic club," said Owen on Twitter. His time at Old Trafford was blighted by injuries and he managed just four league and cup appearances this season with his final one coming in United's 2-0 win over Otelul Galati during the Champions League group stages in November, when he sustained a thigh injury.



Injury plague season at Man Utd



Owen's most memorable goal for Manchester United came at Old Trafford back in September 2009. The striker came off the bench to score a dramatic injury-time winner against Manchester City and win the derby 4-3, with the match since being voted the best in Premier League history. He scored another vital goal in the League Cup final against Aston Villa back in 2010, however his celebrations were again cut short by injury and he was replaced shortly after.

Owen's last appearance for England was against France in 2008, but his goal record at international level is outstanding. The striker scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for his country and BBC Sport's Gary Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England, tweeted: "A world-class goalscorer who, but for injury, would have broken many records."



Owen at Liverpool



Owen started his career as a teenager at Liverpool, scoring 158 goals in 297 appearances, before making an £8m move to Spain to play for Real Madrid in 2004. Having spent just one season in La Liga, the striker moved back to the Premier League where he joined Newcastle United for a reported fee of £16m, scoring 30 goals in 79 appearances.

Always an admirer of the prolific striker, Sir Alex Ferguson took a risk in signing him for Manchester United on a free transfer in 2009. The Scot said: "It is a pleasure to have had Michael at Manchester United. "Michael is a consummate professional and was an influential figure in our dressing room. Unfortunately he had no luck with his injury this season. "Michael's record of goals per game is exceptional and we wish him all the best for the future."

Adidas Dump Liverpool - Liverpool announce new £150m kit deal after Adidas row

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre claims the club has answered a snub by Adidas and proved its standing as one of the ’biggest football brands in the world’ by confirming a £25m-a-year kit deal with Warrior Sports.


Liverpool FC

The five-time European champions will receive £150m over six years from Boston-based Warrior following the agreement, which sees Liverpool stand second only to Barcelona - who have a £26.3m deal with Nike - in the lucrative kit sponsorship market.

Liverpool have ended a relationship with German sportswear giant Adidas stretching back to 1985 by linking up with Warrior.


Warrior Sports

And Ayre has hit back at claims by Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer that Liverpool’s absence from European competition has diminished the club’s appeal by pointing to the size of the Warrior deal as proof of the Anfield outfit’s global popularity.

Ayre said: “We are disappointed that Adidas seem to point to a lack of European football as reason not to agree a new deal and cannot see that we are on par with the biggest football brands in the world.”

Although Manchester United are expected to secure a world record £600m-plus kit deal before their current £23.5m agreement with Nike expires in 2015, Liverpool’s success in clinching such a lucrative deal with Warrior highlights the untapped commercial value of the Merseyside club, whose earnings from Adidas were just £12m-a-year.

Liverpool’s new deal outstrips Bayern Munich’s £22m-a-year package with Bayern Munich, while Arsenal, who have the third most lucrative deal in the Premier League, trail behind with a £13m deal with Nike.

Ayre added: “This is another landmark deal for Liverpool and once again shows the value of the club’s brand globally.

“Warrior Sports will bring its own unique brand and ideas to the partnership, ensuring that they can assist us at the Club both on and off the field of play.

“I believe that Warrior have some outstanding people we can work closely with to continue to deliver quality products to our fans around the world.”

Liverpool’s deal with Warrior will begin with the release of their home, away and third kit in June.


Liverpool next season kit??



Liverpool hit Malaysians for six

Liverpool won another high scoring friendly on their pre-season Asian tour, this time 6-3 over a Malaysian XI.


New signing Charlie Adam opened the scoring from a twice taken penalty kick only for Mohammad Safiq Rahim to level five minutes from half-time.

Safiq scored against Liverpool

David Ngog restored the Reds lead after the break as the floodgates opened. The Frenchman then made it 3-1 moments later.


The Malaysian’s threatened a brief fightback with two quick strikes from Mohammad Safi but by then Maxi Rodriguez had twice scored for the visitor’s and the scoring was completed in stoppage time by Dirk Kuyt.


Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish made 11 substitutions at the break.