Michael Owen: 'I should have left Manchester United sooner'

New Stoke City striker Michael Owen has admitted that he should have left Manchester United sooner.

The 32-year-old, who finalised a move to the Potters last week, made only four first-team appearances for the Red Devils last season.

"In hindsight, probably with that extra year, it might have been better if I had moved in many ways," Owen told reporters.

"I was on the bench a lot of the time, but then when the manager says 'you have a big role to play and we want you to stay for another year', it was great to hear that from someone like Sir Alex Ferguson."

Owen could make his Stoke debut against Manchester City this weekend.