Ex-Liverpool favourite Michael Owen has now left Newcastle after 4 injury hit years on Tyneside and is a free agent.

Owen has continually stated his desire over the past few weeks to stay in the Premier League. Because of this, his management group, WMG, sent out a brouchure to all clubs reminding them of what a player Owen was in his Liverpool and England heyday – and while there have been many suitors (Hull, Stoke, Everton) and those that were not so keen (Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce refused to show any interest) – the least likely destination, and the most shocking for Reds fans, is Old Trafford.

Although there are strong denials from our neighbours at the other end of the East Lancs Road, the rumours are all over the place this morning that Manchester United are in talks with Owen, about joining the Red Devils.

The fact is that United are beginning to show a rather bare front line, having sold Ronaldo, failing to persuade Carlos Tevez to stay, and then there’s the possibility of also losing Frazier Cambell in this transfer window. Add to that losing out on Benzema to Madrid, and things don’t look good up top for Sir Alex.

So it’s no surprise that they are linked with Owen, or vice versa – but the rumours even go so far as to state that Michael is lined up for a rather stringent medical at Old Trafford as early as today, although sources at the club refused to be drawn on this.

Owen was on £100,000 a week at Newcastle roughly, and the Red Devils are probably the only interested club that could match this.

If Owen does move to Old Trafford it would revive the former Liverpool striker’s hopes of resurrecting his international hopes and taking part in the 2010 World Cup.