The former England striker only moved to Old Trafford because Sir Alex Ferguson was unable to land the Frenchman, who has spent eight years in Spain
Michael Owen has revealed that Manchester United only signed him after they were thwarted in the race to sign Karim Benzema from Lyon.
In the summer of 2009, the former Liverpool striker made a shock move to Old Trafford, but it would never have materialised if Sir Alex Ferguson had been successful in his attempt to swoop for Lyon forward Benzema, who switched instead to Real Madrid.
It took €35 million for the Bernabeu side to land the French striker from his hometown club, and he has remained there ever since.