Carragher rues Owen's move to Real, United

By FOX SPORTS staff

The former England international announced on Tuesday that his playing career will come to a close at the end of his spell at Stoke City.

Rising through the ranks at Liverpool, where he became the club's top goal-scorer for seven consecutive seasons and won the Ballon d'Or, Owen left Anfield in 2004 for Real Madrid.

Carragher reflected on his former team-mate's decision in his latest column for the Daily Mail, disclosing that he strongly advised Owen not to leave for the Spanish capital.

"Liverpool had just signed Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros had returned from Euro 2004 as the winner of the Golden Boot. Michael felt the time was right to pursue a fresh challenge. I told him he was making a mistake, that Madrid were a football club rife with politics and he wouldn't play," Carragher stated.

"They had Raul and Ronaldo, who always played, and to be a success at Madrid, you had to be more than just a goalscorer but Michael wouldn't be moved. He thought he was the best and would become a success in Spain. And in difficult circumstances, he did very well. Despite Real Madrid having three managers that season and him getting limited starting opportunities, he scored 16 times in 45 appearances."

The Chester-born player left Los Blancos a year after signing for them, moving to Newcastle United for four seasons before Manchester United came calling. Carragher revealed that Owen wanted to return to Liverpool after his spell with the Magpies, but was denied the opportunity by then-manager Rafa Benitez.

"Liverpool supporters did not take too kindly to the way he left but I'm a firm believer that time is a healer and I'm sure they would have welcomed him back after his contract at Newcastle had expired. The way he left Liverpool had saddened Michael and he wanted the opportunity to redeem himself. I sent Rafa Benitez a message explaining what Liverpool could get on a free transfer but Benitez instead went out and bought David Ngog," he recalled.

"Joining United was a mistake. It ruined any chance of him repairing things with Liverpool fans and it's safe to say United supporters never really took to him despite his famous winner against Manchester City."

Carragher, who is also due to retire from the sport at the end of the season after a career spanning 17 years with Liverpool, admitted he was sad to see Owen's time on the pitch come to close so insignificantly.

"Maybe he should have made this decision a couple of years ago or taken the chance to play in America or the Middle East. Something doesn't seem right about him potentially bringing the curtain down on his career sitting on the bench when Stoke play Southampton," Carragher remarked.