Ex-Liverpool boss Evans: Owen just wants to play

Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans always knew Michael Owen would seek an escape from Real Madrid.
Evans was on the receiving end of the famous Owen scowl during his time at Anfield.
 
Evans gave Owen his debut, plunging him into the Premier League at the age of 17 - he scored in a 2-1 defeat at Wimbledon.

The following year he took the country by storm, culminating in a quickfire England call.

Even then he did not take kindly to being left out.

Evans revealed: "When you told him you were leaving him out he was always devastated. "

"It didn't matter that you'd explain it was for his own good."

"Michael would just fix you with that scowl of his and be absolutely gutted that he was not in."

"But that is great, because you don't want players who are happy to be dropped."

"Michael has to be playing. He has been the same since he was 17 and it is exactly the same now."

He added: "We know Liverpool had an option on him but it seems obvious they won't take that up, so where else is there for him to go?"

"If you are a top player you only go to a top club and that would point towards United."

"As a Liverpudlian of course you'd be a bit disappointed but he has to make a living and wants to get a game. It isn't about money, it's about being in the side."

"When you get the chance to go to Real Madrid you are always going to take it and whatever people may say, he hasn't been unsuccessful there."

"He went to a team that was on the wane a little but being on the bench so much just takes away what he wants to achieve."

"In fairness to him, he hasn't come out and moaned about it. Given the choice, I'm sure he'd prefer to stay there, play and prove himself a huge success."

"If that opportunity isn't there, he will think it is time to move on and play regularly."