Michael Owen blasts those who mocked his ‘brave’ apple throwing story as ‘muppets living with parents when they’re 40’

MICHAEL OWEN has lashed out after being ridiculed for tossing apple cores into bins in a desperate bid to build confidence as a youngster. The legendary striker, 46, enjoyed a trophy-laden career with the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United. Michael Owen has hit out after being mocked for throwing apple cores into a bin during his childhood Credit: http://www.instagram.com/goodbadfootball/ But the legendary striker failed to hit the target when appearing on The Good, The Bad & The Football Credit: http://www.instagram.com/goodbadfootball/ But Owen has now blasted his critics while starring in a new Amazon Prime Video documentary series alongside his family. The England icon went viral for admitting he lobbed apple cores into a bin at his family home – and had the “bravery” to try it. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! And he has brutally slammed those who mocked him for the unusual activity as a child. The one-time Ballon d’Or winner, speaking on Meet the Owens, said: “It became a meme and everybody laughed at it. “That’s cool because the vast majority of people who laughed at it, don’t get it. And that’s why they’re bloody muppets. “Probably still living in their mum and dad’s house when they’re 40 years of age, it’s like who’s a***d?” Owen, who hit out at England following their World Cup exit in the semi-finals, revealed his childhood antics during an interview three years ago. And he recreated the scene when appearing on The Good, The Bad & The Football. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS But Owen’s attempt was wayward as podcast hosts Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness had a go. He told Upfront with Simon Jordan: “Everything was a challenge. I would eat an apple while watching the TV at night. “The bin would be by the TV, six metres away or whatever. I would just [throw the core]. “I had the bravery to miss and for there to be a stain on the wallpaper and my mum to absolutely scream at me and send me upstairs. “I wasn’t cocky at all, but the next day I would do the same and it’ll go right in the middle and my dad would give me a nod of approval. “My mum would be seething but couldn’t say anything because it went in. That confidence, that sort of daring, that nod of approval that, ‘I don’t want to get b******ed by my mum here’. Owen has been filming a new documentary series alongside his family Credit: Getty The ex-marksman enjoyed a trophy-laden career Credit: Getty – Contributor “But I’m desperate for a little wink, a little nod from my dad, to say ‘here you cocky little, you know’. That’s what I always yearned as a kid.” Meet the Owens, which is set to be screened for the first time on August 28, will give a glimpse into the former marksman’s life as the owner of a huge racehorse yard. Comment now