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MICHAEL OWEN may quit football if Manchester United release him at the end of this season.
Owen, 30, is in the final season of a two-year deal and there have been no talks with boss Alex Ferguson about a possible extension.
He said: "I would honestly love to stay but you will have to ask the manager about the long term.
"I could score at this level for many years and would love it to be at a top club like United.
"Whether I would want to be dropping down to a poorer Premier League team, I don't know.
"Yes I could score goals but I would probably get less opportunities and less enjoyment.
"I just don't feel my game is suited to a team that is really struggling. I won't drop down leagues."
Owen is clearly still scarred from his time at a crisis-hit Newcastle.
He added: "I have played in big teams before and played every game and I have played in a struggling team. I know which I prefer.
"When you play here, you play with quality."
Owen's switch to United in July 2009 revived him but he has been restricted to 14 starts, scoring 12 goals.
Injuries have hampered him too and a fresh hamstring tweak will keep him out for another month.
Owen said: "I was fit for most of last season but got the injury in the Carling Cup final.
"I'd like to play as much this season but this injury has been a kick in the teeth."
If he does quit at the end of this season, he would love to do it with a Champions League or Premier League winners' medal round his neck.
Owen said: "It would not only round off my career but put it to bed."
And Owen is already looking at life beyond his playing days, insisting: "I'm on my second stage of coaching badges and management is a real possibility.
"Horse racing will always be a big part of my life but, if there's a job going forward, it will be in football."
Meanwhile, Owen has defended his fellow pros following a spate of negative news stories.
Owen's team-mate Wayne Rooney has come in for particular criticism after querying United's ambition before signing a bumper five-year, £250,000-a-week deal.
But Owen said: "It's dangerous if you say, 'All footballers are this, all footballers are that'.
"I've met footballers who are fantastic people. They're always visiting sick kids but don't ask for Press coverage."
MICHAEL OWEN may quit football if Manchester United release him at the end of this season.
Owen, 30, is in the final season of a two-year deal and there have been no talks with boss Alex Ferguson about a possible extension.
He said: "I would honestly love to stay but you will have to ask the manager about the long term.
"I could score at this level for many years and would love it to be at a top club like United.
"Whether I would want to be dropping down to a poorer Premier League team, I don't know.
"Yes I could score goals but I would probably get less opportunities and less enjoyment.
"I just don't feel my game is suited to a team that is really struggling. I won't drop down leagues."
Owen is clearly still scarred from his time at a crisis-hit Newcastle.
He added: "I have played in big teams before and played every game and I have played in a struggling team. I know which I prefer.
"When you play here, you play with quality."
Owen's switch to United in July 2009 revived him but he has been restricted to 14 starts, scoring 12 goals.
Injuries have hampered him too and a fresh hamstring tweak will keep him out for another month.
Owen said: "I was fit for most of last season but got the injury in the Carling Cup final.
"I'd like to play as much this season but this injury has been a kick in the teeth."
If he does quit at the end of this season, he would love to do it with a Champions League or Premier League winners' medal round his neck.
Owen said: "It would not only round off my career but put it to bed."
And Owen is already looking at life beyond his playing days, insisting: "I'm on my second stage of coaching badges and management is a real possibility.
"Horse racing will always be a big part of my life but, if there's a job going forward, it will be in football."
Meanwhile, Owen has defended his fellow pros following a spate of negative news stories.
Owen's team-mate Wayne Rooney has come in for particular criticism after querying United's ambition before signing a bumper five-year, £250,000-a-week deal.
But Owen said: "It's dangerous if you say, 'All footballers are this, all footballers are that'.
"I've met footballers who are fantastic people. They're always visiting sick kids but don't ask for Press coverage."
