MICHAEL OWEN has revealed the tell-tale sign that Sir Alex Ferguson had dropped a big player.

The Manchester United boss was in charge of the club for 26 years and managed to keep multiple big-name players happy at the same time as he guided them to 38 trophies.

Owen, who played under Fergie from 2009 to 2012, has lifted the lid on how the squad knew if he had made a big call in his starting XIs.

The former striker told FIVE that he believed he was in the team one week as he saw the gaffer doing his trademark arm around the shoulder reassuring chat with a player.

However, he was fooled as Fergie only wanted to consult him on his horse knowledge.

Owen explained: "He would pick the team and you knew if someone big was getting dropped and someone else was coming into the team.

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"You'd see Sir Alex after training with his arm around someone's shoulder and you'd think 'ooh Scolesy is not playing'.

"I'd been there a few weeks then all of a sudden on a Friday, he shouted: 'Michael, can I have a word?' And I thought 'I'm playing'.

"He puts his arm around me and goes, 'right, I see you have got some runners at Chepstow today, have you got any tips?'

"I got so excited and that was it, I knew where my place was."

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Owen played 52 games for United and scored 17 goals, winning the Premier League in 2011.

His move to the Red Devils was controversial due to his links to Liverpool.

But Owen revealed his switch to Old Trafford made sense due to then Reds manager Brendan Rodgers turning down his Anfield homecoming.

Owen revealed: "Rodgers said he didn't need me at the time so at that point you've just got to go to the next best available club. 

"Once I got over the 'is everyone going hate me, have I ruined everything?' It was a no-brainer.

"I knew every player, I knew Sir Alex Ferguson, I could live at home, play in that stadium, and have a chance of winning the league and Champions League. I had no doubts it was the best move career wise."

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