New Manchester United signing Michael Owen was desperate for a return to Liverpool.

The News of the World says even while Owen was in negotiations with Manchester United, efforts were made on his behalf to force an Anfield intervention.

The England striker was so desperate to return to the club where he emerged as a world-class goalscorer that he would have accepted a basic salary of just £25,000-a-week plus goal and appearance bonuses.

But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez's doubts over Owen's form, fitness and desire to put his club before his England ambitions ensured he rejected repeated attempts to persuade him to re-sign the player he sold five years ago.

Benitez also recalled how Owen upset the Anfield faithful twice when he left in 2004 and then failed to return in 2005. The Kop boss had no intention of risking being jilted a third time by trying to hijack the United swoop.