Michael Owen and Alan Shearer trade barbs in Twitter feud

Michael Owen has taken a dig at Alan Shearer and questioned his loyatly to Newcastle as their Twitter feud erupted on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking to BT Sport, Owen said he couldn't wait to retire after moving to Newcastle and Shearer replied: "Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week....."

Owen, who moved to Newcastle in 2005 from Real Madrid, says it was the only transfer in his career that he regrets. "From a career perspective, there was no doubt in my mind that a move to the North East was a downward step," he says in his new book Reboot - My Life, My Time. He says he relationship with Newcastle fans was ruptured beyond repair when he was knocked unconscious against Watford in a game and the fans started chanting "What a waste of money" as he was carted off the field.

"Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate. I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out," Owen replied in his own tweet to Shearer, who moved from Blackburn to St. James' Park in 1996 and would retire in 2006.

It all works perfectly as publicity for Owen's book and he followed up that dig at Shearer with a tweet urging people to read it.

"My new book has made plenty of headlines this morning but they need to be put into context. I’ve stayed quiet for years whilst receiving plenty of criticism but there are two sides to every story. Once you’ve read the book you’ll make your own decision...."

Owen won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 after helping Liverpool to a treble including the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup before a move to Real Madrid in 2004. With Raúl and Ronaldo ahead of him, he couldn't get sufficient game time at the Bernabéu before moving back to the Premier League with the Magpies.