Former European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen [ Images ] may be on the verge of joining Manchester United [ Images ] from relegated Newcastle United, according to several media reports Friday.

The England [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] in 2004. He had a single, frustrating season at the Bernabeu [ Images ], 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 [ Images ].

Last month he said he would be leaving Championship side Newcastle within weeks.

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