Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Michael Owen as one of Liverpool’s best ever strikers.

The England international spent eight years in the Anfield first team, during which time his many goals helped the club an FA Cup, a Uefa Cup and two League Cups.

He left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2004, but he spent just one season in Spain before returning to England when Newcastle United paid £16million for his signature.

Owen was out of contract in the summer and stunned Liverpool by signing for Manchester United, who travel to Merseyside on Sunday with the 29-year-old amongst their ranks.

The striker is sure to be given a hot reception by the Kop, but Ferguson has reminded fans of Rafael Benitez’s side that during his time there, Owen was a true great.

“It will be interesting to see the kind of reaction he gets," he said. “Paul Ince obviously got a bad reaction from our fans when he went to Liverpool, and Michael might get that on Sunday.

"But he is experienced - that is important. Everyone likes to be liked but I don't think it will bother him. His record at Liverpool stands him apart from even the likes of Paul when he was with us.

"The goals he scored for Liverpool mark him down as one of their best-ever strikers. That stands him in good stead in terms of the Liverpool fans - but it is difficult to say."

Get all the latest news on your club. Visit 360 Football, the best football news aggregator on the web!