Michael Owen shares new revelation on relationship with Alan Shearer after brutal feud

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Michael Owen has revealed that while he will shake Alan Shearer's hand when their paths cross, the pair don't engage in conversation. Despite the two forwards spending a season together at Newcastle United during the 2005/06 Premier League campaign, their relationship has remained decidedly chilly off the field for nearly twenty years.

The rift between the duo originated in May 2009, when the Magpies required at least a point against Aston Villa to stave off relegation to the Championship . Shearer, who had hung up his boots three years earlier, was managing his beloved club at the time, with Owen still a key component of the Magpies icon's squad.

Given Newcastle's precarious position, Shearer was keen to field Owen from the start to maximise their chances of staying up. However, Owen told Shearer before kick-off that he didn't feel physically capable of lasting the entire 90 minutes, reports Chronicle Live .

Consequently, he was introduced with 25 minutes remaining, but couldn't prevent Newcastle from succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Villa, sealing their relegation. Discussing the circumstances on the Match of the Day podcast, Shearer has since said: "I felt he could have done more at Newcastle in my time when I was the manager.

"I know he was at the latter stages of his career and wasn't at his best but I just thought he could have done a little bit more in terms of where we were and what was going to happen to the football club.

"My argument was that if he was to get an injury, it's the end of the season, Newcastle are on their knees, about to be relegated, so it didn't really matter if you went out and pulled a hamstring or groin."

In a 2019 interview with talkSPORT, Owen had a different memory of that pivotal day. He said: "I have got no problem with Alan. I like the guy, we have great history, but sadly he has this view of myself that I didn't want to play in this game.

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"I know why he has come to this conclusion but come on. I went into his office the day before the game and said if I were him I would put me on the bench, I am still a week away [from full fitness], but put me on the bench if we need a goal with ten minutes to go.

"I will loiter around the box for ten minutes and try to nick a goal. He took it in some way that I didn't want to play. It is sad for everybody. I felt like the scapegoat. Why on earth wouldn't I want to play? I played the best on the big occasions. Why would I bottle it away at Aston Villa? It is ridiculous."

Over the years, Shearer and Owen have had several public disagreements on social media. In one instance, Shearer shared a video clip of Owen confessing that he was eager to retire during his time at Newcastle, captioning it: "Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week..."

In response, Owen replied: "Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate. I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out."

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Now, speaking to Midnite Sports , Owen has gone so far as to admit that the pair maintain silence when in each other's presence. The 46-year-old said: "Whenever I see Shearer I shake his hand, and he shakes my hand.

"We don't have conversations and to be honest, we just agree to disagree. Deep down I actually really like him, but he made a massive mistake saying what he said."

It comes as Shearer will undoubtedly be keeping a close watch on Newcastle's encounter with Manchester United on Friday, December 26. The Magpies face the lengthy journey across the north to Old Trafford to take on Ruben Amorim's rejuvenated Red Devils, hoping to improve their Premier League position.

Currently, Eddie Howe's team occupy 11th place in the table after securing six victories, suffering an equal number of defeats, and drawing five matches from their first 17 fixtures.

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