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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has responded to Michael Owen’s declare that he was a a lot better participant at 17.
Rooney and Owen’s exceptional journeys to stardom
Each Rooney and Owen loved meteoric climbs to the highest of the game at a really younger age, with the pair considered two of the most effective abilities England has ever produced.
Each burst onto the scene in Merseyside – Rooney with Everton and Owen with Liverpool.
At simply 16 years and 9 months previous, Rooney made his senior debut in August 2002, approaching instead in a 2-2 draw between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. He scored his first objective in October, a memorable long-range strike towards Arsenal, which ended the Gunners’ 30-match unbeaten streak.
In the meantime, Owen debuted for Liverpool in 1997 at 17. He scored on his debut, though it didn’t depend for an excessive amount of as Liverpool have been overwhelmed by Wimbledon.
Rooney went on to grow to be United’s report goalscorer, serving to the Purple Devils win 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League. Owen netted 158 targets in 297 appearances for Liverpool. He would later briefly be a part of United.
A couple of days in the past, Owen took to X and boldly claimed that he was a a lot better participant than Rooney in the course of the early years of his profession.
Owen wrote, “At 17 I scored 18 PL targets (profitable the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I once more scored 18 targets (once more profitable the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9.”
“In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me as soon as (117 targets v 80). During which time I turned the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever. Accidents hindered me from then on whereas he sustained his degree.”
“Due to this fact, he’ll go down as a greater participant than me. However, at 17, please……”
At 17 I scored 18 PL targets (profitable the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6.
At 18 I once more scored 18 targets (once more profitable the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me as soon as (117 targets v 80). During which time I turned…— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) September 5, 2025
Rooney has now given his verdict on Owen’s feedback.
Rooney responds to Owen
Talking on The Wayne Rooney Present podcast, Rooney defined, “I feel his feedback are honest. In fact, he’s going to again himself. I’d again myself. I utterly perceive what he’s saying.”
“However we’re two utterly totally different footballers – totally different types, totally different methods. Michael Owen, for a 3 or four-year interval, was most likely the most effective centre-forward on this planet. I feel individuals do overlook really how good he was.”
Rooney continued, “It’s onerous to argue towards anybody arising towards Michael Owen then. Sadly, he did get his accidents and he most likely couldn’t adapt his recreation possibly in addition to I may in taking part in from the facet or going again into midfield.”
“However, I’d by no means choose myself towards Michael Owen as a result of he’s somebody I really regarded as much as and had the pleasure of taking part in alongside [for England and Manchester United].”
On Owen being perceived as boring, Rooney remarked, “He is among the funniest individuals you’ll meet. I hope he simply will get that out as a result of everybody who performed with him, we all know what an excellent lad he’s, and generally that doesn’t at all times come throughout.”
Along with Liverpool and United, Owen additionally lined up for Actual Madrid, Newcastle and Stoke Metropolis.
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