Manchester United striker Michael Owen may have played his last match for the club after suffering a groin injury in training.
The 31-year-old is reported to have pulled up during shooting practice at the club’s Carrington training complex.
Owen could be out for three months with the injury which all but ends a disappointing campaign for the once prolific frontman.
With the former Liverpool and Real Madrid’s contract coming to an end this summer, it could mean Owen has played his last match for league leaders United.
With established strikers Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez at the club and raw talents Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda waiting for their chance, it’s unlikely Owen will be offered a new contract at Old Trafford – ending his two-year spell.
Since arriving at United in 2009, Owen has made 42 appearances – hitting the back of the net 13 times including a last-minute winner in the Manchester derby.
It has been rumoured that Owen could be following former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler to Australia. The striker has been linked with a move to Newcastle Jets in a cash and racehorse deal.
More football news:
Steven Gerrard’s Bentley Continental for sale
Raheem Sterling in line to become Liverpool’s youngest ever player
Frank Lampard: Champions League comes first
Video: the moment Gattuso head-butts Joe Jordan
Michael Owen at Man United: success or failure? Have your say below
The funniest thing then is that if this injury ends his season and United let him go at the end of the season. Even if they win the league, he’ll still have only a league cup medal to show for his betrayal.