Michael Owen has revealed he sought out a return to Liverpool prior to reluctantly signing with Manchester United.

The former England striker became a target for Reds fans when he joined north west rivals United from Newcastle United in 2009.

However, Owen says he wanted to return to Anfield to play under Rafa Benitez, Kenny Dalglish or Brendan Rodgers but when a move back to Merseyside did not come about seven years ago, he swallowed his pride and linked with Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

In Simon Hughes' new book 'Ring of Fire', Owen said: "At every stage – every summer – I was on the phone to Carra [Jamie Carragher] telling him to find a way to get me back.

"'Does Rafa want me?' I'd say. 'Does Kenny want me? Does Brendan want me?'

"It was circumstance that stopped it happening. I spoke to Carra and tried to get Benitez to do something. I wanted to put it right somehow.

"When it became clear Benitez didn't want to do a deal, I spoke again with Ferguson.

"He was very positive about me. I was twenty-nine years old. Should I have decided to retire there and then?"

Kop hero Owen, who ended his career with Stoke City in 2013, departed Liverpool for Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004 after scoring 158 goals to sit eighth on the club's all-time list.