11-10-2009, 12:45 AM
MICHAEL OWEN has been warned to expect the kind of abuse dished out by Manchester United fans to Carlos Tevez when he returns to Anfield.
Tevez was stunned by the stick he endured on his first outing in Manchester City’s colours back at his old club.
And Jamie Carragher is predicting the same sort of response from Liverpool fans when the former Kop idol heads
back to Anfield on October 25 in a United shirt.
Carragher said: “Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception.
“You can understand the fans’ point of view. He used to play for us and now he’s at the big rivals so of course there will be some reaction.
“That’s football and Michael will know that. Michael has a very strong character so stick doesn’t bother him.’’ Carragher is still good pals with Owen and backs his decision to sign up for Liverpool’s biggest rivals.
He said: “Michael’s got his career to think about. He wants to get his name back up there.
“He wants to play Champions League football and get into the World Cup squad.
“The move gives him that opportunity. It will have upset some fans but that’s football. He’s a mate of mine, so I suppose I have to wish him well – but only to a certain extent.’’
The Liverpool defender is astonished at the lack of respect Owen now commands from English football fans.
He said: “His achievements have been forgotten very quickly. This is a kid who went to a World Cup and set it alight.
“He scored one of the great World Cup goals, not against some Mickey Mouse nation either, against Argentina.
“What an impact at only 18. He’s won the European Footballer of the Year. How many British players can say that? If he never kicks a football again, he’s done more than most and I think he is due a bit more respect.’’
Carragher admits to being as shocked as anyone at Owen’s arrival at Old Trafford in the summer.
The free agent had been linked with moves to Hull and Stoke after leaving Newcastle before Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in to snap him up. Carragher said: “I was a bit surprised by his move to Manchester United. Not because I doubted his ability but it was so out of the blue.
“It happened so quickly. One minute you’re wondering where he will end up and the next he’s at Old Trafford.
“When I’ve played against him he’s been kept fairly quiet but, no disrespect to Newcastle, he wasn’t getting the service and it’ll be a harder experience than that when he is in the United line-up.’’
Tevez was stunned by the stick he endured on his first outing in Manchester City’s colours back at his old club.
And Jamie Carragher is predicting the same sort of response from Liverpool fans when the former Kop idol heads
back to Anfield on October 25 in a United shirt.
Carragher said: “Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception.
“You can understand the fans’ point of view. He used to play for us and now he’s at the big rivals so of course there will be some reaction.
“That’s football and Michael will know that. Michael has a very strong character so stick doesn’t bother him.’’ Carragher is still good pals with Owen and backs his decision to sign up for Liverpool’s biggest rivals.
He said: “Michael’s got his career to think about. He wants to get his name back up there.
“He wants to play Champions League football and get into the World Cup squad.
“The move gives him that opportunity. It will have upset some fans but that’s football. He’s a mate of mine, so I suppose I have to wish him well – but only to a certain extent.’’
The Liverpool defender is astonished at the lack of respect Owen now commands from English football fans.
He said: “His achievements have been forgotten very quickly. This is a kid who went to a World Cup and set it alight.
“He scored one of the great World Cup goals, not against some Mickey Mouse nation either, against Argentina.
“What an impact at only 18. He’s won the European Footballer of the Year. How many British players can say that? If he never kicks a football again, he’s done more than most and I think he is due a bit more respect.’’
Carragher admits to being as shocked as anyone at Owen’s arrival at Old Trafford in the summer.
The free agent had been linked with moves to Hull and Stoke after leaving Newcastle before Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in to snap him up. Carragher said: “I was a bit surprised by his move to Manchester United. Not because I doubted his ability but it was so out of the blue.
“It happened so quickly. One minute you’re wondering where he will end up and the next he’s at Old Trafford.
“When I’ve played against him he’s been kept fairly quiet but, no disrespect to Newcastle, he wasn’t getting the service and it’ll be a harder experience than that when he is in the United line-up.’’