Michael Owen’s remarkably candid comments on injury troubles are rightly attracting praise

A reminder that Premier League Tonight on BT Sport is often as compelling as the football itself

Well, it was last night anyway. While Liverpool beating Brighton isn't likely to live long in the mind's eye, BT Sport's post-match evening programme once again delivered. Last week, Rio Ferdinand shared his considered thoughts on the differences between David Moyes and Alex Ferguson. This week, it was the turn of another former Manchester United player: Michael Owen. The one-time Liverpool wonderkid went through the wringer during his career, persistent injuries blunting his undoubted gifts and ravaging his later years at Newcastle, Manchester United and, finally, Stoke. Here's the clip. https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1033447448797163520 For those of you who don't fancy watching the nine-minute section of the interview, here are some startlingly honest quotes from the 89-time England international. "I'd lost it," Owen said. "The last six, seven years of my career, I hated it – I couldn't wait to retire. I could still score. I still had that instinct for where the ball was going to go and I could still finish." "I admire people that play for the love of the game, that can drop down a division or whatever to keep playing, but for me it was turmoil. The last few years of my career was just a frustration, I just couldn't do what I used to be able to do. Sometimes my brain was telling me to do something and then I'd think twice because I knew I'd be out for another six weeks." Owen may not be able to tactically break down a game of football like Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher, but his searing honesty is just as compelling. https://twitter.com/themichaelowen/status/1033452847206223872 https://twitter.com/michaeldilley/status/1033437757425831936 https://twitter.com/CardyMatt/status/1033436836633477122 https://twitter.com/Leeno382/status/1033436926622281728 https://twitter.com/Charlie26Adam/status/1033477694703456256