We eventually managed to catch up with Michael Owen at his Manor House Ranch up in Cheshire to find out about the man, the player, the pundit and the horse whisperer.
NBC: Michael, Amazing ranch you have here. It's a long drive up from London though.
NBC: Well, yeah it is Stanley. If my stables wer'furtha south, like 'ertfordshire.... you wouldn't 'avad so far to drive as far.
NBC: Genius Michael. You seem to be very busy with your punditry work, but you seem to have been taking a lot of criticism for stating the obvious. How do you feel about that?
MO: Yeah, an' a-gen there's a situation where you think... the press.. would report the truth but.... they 'avn't told the truth...... which makes me think they've lied.
NBC: Hmm, You could be on to something there. So, your old mate Rafa is currently unemployed Michael. Do you see him returning to manage in England?
MO: I.....think Rafa right now.... COULD manage in England a'gen... if, an' only if he takes a job with an English Club Stan, bu' if he chooses to take a management role in another country, like Germany, then I think it's unlikely we'll see him managing in the Premier League until he leaves that job.
NBC: Errrr, makes sense I suppose. Man Utd, can they improve?
MO: Well yeah... y'kno the 'ave some goal scorers in the side who CAN score you goals, an' if the can score goals, especially if the' score MORE goals... than the teamsthey'replayin'.... then the' can win games.
NBC: Well goals are important Mickey boy. Horses, you seem to have agreatlove of horse Michael. Why did you get into horses?
MO: Well yeah, it's something to think about... whenya consider all things, yadon't'afta milk them Stan. If I kept cows, I'd probably 'afta milk them, which would give us plenty of milk, but it's true what they say, you don't win 'orse races with cows.
NBC: Not sure WHO says that mate but insightful stuff never the less Michael. Finally Euro 2016 is around the corner. Do you think England can go all the way and lift the trophy this time around?
NBC: Well yeah, that IS a question.......... A think thar-if England can get themselves.... out of the group and then, win their next four matches, including the final, then I think... yeah... they do have a real chance.
NBC: Awesome. So no more chance than usual Michael! It's been great mate but I've got to dash as I want to beat the traffic on the M6... See ya.
So there you have it, Michael Owen.... a great guy, one of England's best, scored a cracking goal for us against Citeh and I hear he has a great sense of humour... especially if he reads this...!