And seeing Kieron Dyer crumple to the ground in the West Ham match at Bristol Rovers must have put a worry in his mind.
The pair have become great mates as they endured rehabilitation together for many months. And seeing Dyer put back to 'square one' must send out alarm bells.
However, Sam Allardyce is adamant Michael Owen has got over his problems and the Newcastle's fit-again forward will soon be back to his best in a United shirt.
Dyer Injury Won't Worry Fit-Again Owen
The 27-year-old will start a club fixture for the first time this season when he spearheads the home attack in this evening's Carling Cup second-round tie against Barnsley.
Sam Allardyce: "I don't think Michael has anything to prove to anyone in regard to what a good player he is. I'm certain that, should he manage to avoid injuries, he will start to improve and the goals and the confidence will start to come back.
"I was disappointed, as he was, that he didn't win the game at Boro. He sneaked in and got the chance and he was disappointed not to put in the net.
"But as long as he's still getting into the right positions - which he is - I'm sure that it will come. He got in there and made the chance to score a goal, he just couldn't quite take it, but he hasn't lost that instinct and it's just about putting the ball in the net as soon as he can and moving on from there.
"We all hope and keep our fingers crossed that we've seen the last of his problems.
"What Michael wants to do is stay fit and play games and enjoy his football again for as long as he possibly can, both with Newcastle United and with England, and try to help us be successful and try to get to a position where, when we select him on a week-to-week basis, he produces the goals we know he can. If we do that, then we are going to be a very, very good side throughout this year in the Premier League.
"Michael's a very quiet man and a very determined man who commits himself to his rehabilitation to get fit as quickly as he possibly can. Now he can extend that into his rehabilitation work on a regular basis, which he will do to make sure he stays fit and rekindle his obvious talent for scoring goals and playing football.
"You have got a much happier player when that happens, when he will hopefully put all fears behind him in the next few weeks, because in his mind, there will always be the doubt of 'Am I going to get injured again?'. The longer he goes without an injury, the more confidence he will get."