Michael Owen has claimed that several big clubs missed an opportunity by not signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, particularly Manchester United.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has long been labelled an injury-prone player, but his statistics suggest otherwise. The Englishman did experience persistent fitness problems during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, when he made just 17 league appearances in each campaign. However, the striker has remained relatively fit since then.

In his final two seasons with Everton, he made 32 and 26 league appearances respectively, which does not suggest persistent injury problems. Nevertheless, the reputation he carried may have influenced his next move, as he left the Toffees on a free transfer at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Michael Owen claims Manchester United ‘missed the trick’

Owen recently suggested that several major clubs, including Manchester United, may have “missed a trick” by not signing the “battering ram”. Speaking to Premier League Productions via TEAMtalk, Owen said Manchester United could have taken a chance on the English striker, even if they had signed him as a backup.

Owen said, “He has always struggled with injuries, but when he is fit, he is a hard man to handle. And with the lack of centre-forwards that has been around in recent years, I thought, with all due respect to Leeds, one of the bigger teams might have just taken a chance and had him as the backup.

“Maybe even a Manchester United. One or two sniffed around him, but Leeds put the money where their mouth was and got him, and he has repaid them.”

Leeds United took a chance on Calvert-Lewin by signing the free agent on a three-year contract, and the decision has proved highly successful. The English striker enjoyed an excellent first season at Elland Road, scoring 14 Premier League goals and adding another in the FA Cup.

Calvert-Lewin has also made an impressive start to the current campaign, scoring three goals in his first four Premier League matches and another in the EFL Cup. He has proved capable of leading the line for Leeds despite the concerns surrounding his fitness, helping Daniel Farke’s side achieve a respectable mid-table finish during their return to the top flight.

Manchester United briefly considered signing Calvert-Lewin as cover for Benjamin Sesko during the summer but ultimately decided against bringing in the English striker.

As Owen suggested, they may have missed an opportunity by failing to trust a proven Premier League forward. Calvert-Lewin could have caused plenty of problems for opposing defences if he had joined one of the league’s top clubs, including Manchester United.