Owen wants ´two or three´ more years at the top

Michael Owen has revealed that he hopes to be playing football for at least another few years.

But the 32-year-old does not think he will be around as long as Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs.

Owen is contracted to the reigning Premier League champions until the summer, but his injury problems, coupled with several other players being ahead of him in the pecking order, could mean his days at Old Trafford are numbered.

However, the former Liverpool forward is adamant that he still has something left to give and he believes he has a few of years of football left in him, but does concede he will not be emulating Giggs’ longevity.

“I must admit, I don’t think I am going to be one of the players who is still playing when they are 37 or 38 like Ryan,” Owen said.

“But I certainly think I still have another two or three years left in me.

“I listen to players in the dressing room; some players are struggling to get out of bed and complain about their knees or Achilles.

“I honestly can’t resonate with them. I never get any pains like that. It is probably strange for people to hear that because they know I am injured.

“But joint-wise I feel great. I feel as though I can play, it’s just when I get injuries, they always seem to be bad ones.

“My body feels as though it can play and my mind wants to and the aim is to keep going for at least another couple of years.”

With his deal coming to an end, Owen’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain but he is determined to keep playing whatever happens.

“I know what I want to do. If you say certain things they can get misconstrued but I have not lost the passion to be playing more often,” he said.

“In life, you have to make hard decisions. I have made some good ones and some bad, but in general terms I am pretty proud of my career.

“I still think I have another two or three years but where that will be is a question that the manager would be better placed to answer.

“I am exactly the same situation I was last year. Regardless what happens, you will never hear me grumbling about the privilege of playing at a top club like Manchester United.

“I have had some cracking moments. I have scored in cup finals, got the winner against Manchester City, scored a hat-trick in the Champions League and won the league.

“I am not concerned about what is around the corner.”

The former England international is renowned for his interest and knowledge in the horse racing industry, but after forging a successful partnership with trainer Tom Dascombe, he is sure he will not be going down a similar path, stating his future will be football-related.

“I can think of nothing worse than being a trainer,” he said. “Tom is fielding phone calls from 200 owners and is up at the crack of dawn.

“I don’t really have a role. I own the stables and employ everybody, after that, it all gets run for me so I can go off and play football.

“That is how I like it. I won’t get any more involved than that. I will stay in football in some capacity when I finish, although who knows what capacity that will be.”