Owen braced for backlash

MICHAEL OWEN is expecting a rough ride at Anfield next weekend, but makes no apology for joining Manchester United.

Owen wrote his name in Liverpool folklore during eight seasons with the Merseyside giants, the high point of which was the 2001 season in which they secured the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup.

However, such success is likely to be forgotten on Sunday when the 29-year-old turns up wearing the colours of Liverpool’s bitter enemies and hoping to inflict what could be a fatal wound to Liverpool’s title challenge.

“I am human,” Owen said. “I would prefer people to sit down and recognise what you did for them and for the team in years gone past.”