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Michael Owen has revealed how his dramatic derby winner will stay with him for the rest of his life.

The former England international struck in injury time to hand United bragging rights over ‘noisy neighbours’ City with an unforgettable 4-3 win five years ago.

It was his first derby after moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2009 and inheriting Cristiano Ronaldo’s No. 7 shirt.

It was the moment that ensured Owen’s place in United folklore – despite having made his name with their fierce rivals Liverpool.

The striker, who also played for Real Madrid, Newcastle and Stoke City, says his dramatic winner was among his greatest moments in the game.

He also believes it was crucial in maintaining United’s place as the dominant force in English football, coming at the start of City’s Abu Dhabi-led revolution.

“It’s very hard to pick certain moments,’ said Owen.

“For sheer emotion and all the feelings that go with it after scoring a goal – that was right up there with the moments when you have the biggest surge of adrenaline.

“It was an important goal obviously.

“Certainly at the time when City had started spending big and were coming up on the rails.

“Some would say they were nosing past Man United at the time – so to win that game was a big one.

“And to do it so early in my United career – it was great to score and feel part of the club.”

Ferguson had famously dismissed City as noisy neighbours – and it was Owen who silenced the blue half of Manchester at the end of a tumultuous derby.

United had taken the lead on three occasions, only to see City respond every time, with Craig Bellamy appearing to secure a 3-3 draw right at the death.

But Owen sparked unbridled scenes of joy from the home fans when firing past Shay Given six minutes into stoppage time.

“They are the moments you remember for the rest of your life,” he added.

“You score hundreds of goals, but when you retire – certainly in my mind – I only remember about 20 of them.

“And there were only about 10 that have a special place in your heart.

“Whether it was in a cup final or the last minute like the one against Man City, or any World Cup goal, things like that are the ones that change your life, so to speak.”

Owen was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame this month.

It was recognition of an outstanding career that truly took off after his stunning solo goal against Argentina at the World Cup in France in 1998.

He went on to win seven major trophies – including the Premier League title with United in 2011.

But assessing his career he points to the Ballon d’Or as his greatest honour.

Owen was the last Englishman to be named European Footballer of the Year when collecting the prestigious award in 2001.

“I had some memorable times as a footballer,” he said.

“On the pitch people would probably most remember me for the goal against Argentina, for the two FA Cup final goals against Arsenal or maybe the hat-trick against Germany.

“For personal accolades it was probably the European Player of the Year award after the treble season of 2001.

“That was the trophy that, with each day that goes by, you look at it and think that was a great one to win.”

On his induction into the Hall of Fame, Owen added: “It’s great. It’s not often you get such a prestigious honour.

“Looking at the roll call of players that have been inducted, it is a pretty impressive one.

“I’m delighted to be part of it.”