LONDON - FORMER European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen may be on the verge of joining Manchester United from relegated Newcastle United, according to several British media reports on Friday.

The England international could move to the Premier League champions if he passes a stringent medical examination, said the reports.

A Manchester United spokesman told the BBC the club would not comment on the speculation.

Owen shot to fame with Liverpool and England before joining Real Madrid in 2004. He had a single, frustrating season at the Bernabeu, where he played well but never managed to cement a first team place, before moving to Newcastle in 2005.

Owen has since struggled for form and fitness and fallen out of favour with England manager Fabio Capello.

Last month he said he would be leaving Championship (second division) side Newcastle within weeks.

He won the European Footballer of the Year award in 2001. -- REUTERS