He spent 12 months at the Bernabeu earlier in his career
and Michael Owen hopes to be back there again next May, this
time with the Reds.
Last season's Champions League runners-up can seal qualification
for the knock-out stages with a win over CSKA Moscow at Old
Trafford on Tuesday night.
With doubts over the availability of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar
Berbatov, Owen is likely to start against the Russians. Having
never won the competition, the 29-year-old is relishing the
opportunity to play his part in the Reds' quest for Champions
League glory and is desperate to help his team-mates book a third
consecutive final spot in Madrid next May.
"It’s everybody’s dream [to win the Champions League] and coming to
a club like Manchester United you’re always competing at the top
level," he told reporters at United's pre-match press
conference.
"That's one of the things you look at when you’re first asked to
join the club. It’s one of the big things that stuck in my mind –
playing in big European games and top League games is everybody’s
dream.
"It’s very difficult to win these competitions but it’s our aim to
do that and it’s exciting to be part of it."
Four months into his United career, Owen says he feels completely
at home at Old Trafford and is pleased with his progress to
date.
"I've loved every minute of it. It’s been everything I expected...
and more," he insists. "Everybody has been so welcoming, right from
the coaching staff, the
canteen ladies and the kit man, not to mention the lads and
the fans. I’m really pleased that the fans seem to have taken to me
and sang my name. I feel like I’ve been here many years even though
it’s only been a few months."
Despite constant fears in the media over Owen's ability to remain
fit, the Reds' no.7 pointed out that he's only been
unavailable once this season. That's a better injury record
than the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and
Ryan Giggs.
"United has a great structure behind the scenes," he explained.
"The amount of staff that look after the players is incredible. If
you want to do anything, be it weight sessions or yoga, it’s all
catered for. You can go into any room and there’s a member of staff
there ready to give you a programme that’s specific to you.
"I’ve always done extra bits and the type of player I’ve been – a
quick player – means you’re always prone to muscle niggles. So I'll
continue to do work off the pitch that hopefully limits the danger
[of picking up injuries].
"Also, as you get older you learn more about your body. In the last
Champions League game at home [against Wolfsburg] I came off before
it was too late. If I’d carried on I might have done another sprint
and pulled my groin and been out for a month."