Wayne Rooney responds to Michael Owen in debate over who was better at age 17

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has given his take on Michael Owen's claim that he was the better of the two players at the age of 17 - with a rather diplomatic response.

It comes after the ex-Liverpool striker claimed he was the superior player when the pair made their Premier League breakthroughs. In an interview on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Owen was asked who could measure up to the former England striker when he first burst onto the scene, responding that he was in a league of his own.

Owen later doubled down on the comparison on social media, displaying his stunning self-confidence. Owen, who won the Ballon d’Or when he was 22, then duly wrote on X: “At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever. Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……”

Rooney was not interested in engaging in a numbers debate with his ex-United and England team-mate though, and diplomatically sidestepped the question by hailing Owen instead.

"Listen, me and Michael were very different players with different attributes," Rooney began on his self-titled show. "Michael Owen at 17, 18 was incredible. I used to go out on the streets and pretend to be him, even though he played for Liverpool !

"So what he's saying, I completely understand but we're two completely different footballers, different styles, different techniques. Michael Owen for a three, four year period was probably the best centre-forward in the world and it's hard to argue against anyone coming up against Michael Owen then."

He continued: "Unfortunately he did get his injuries and he probably couldn't adapt his game maybe as well as I could in playing from the sides or going back into midfield. I think his comments are fair. Of course, he's going to back himself. I'd back myself, but I'd never judge myself against Michael Owen because he's someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside."

Rooney also went on to praise Owen's personality. This was a facet of the former Newcastle Striker that shone through in his interview with Ferdinand, with public consensus often leaning toward Owen having a more conservative and withdrawn character.

"Michael can come across as a little bit boring," Rooney added. "But he's one of the funniest people you'll meet. Being in his company, honestly he's so funny and witty. A lot of people think, 'Oh he's quite boring' but he is so funny and I hope he gets that out because, everyone who played with him, we know what a good lad he is and sometimes that doesn't always come across."

Owen, 45, scored 222 goals in a 482-game club career which also included spells at Real Madrid , Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke before retiring at 32 as injuries took their toll. He also scored 40 goals for England.

Rooney, now 39, moved to United at 18 and went on to become their record goalscorer with 253, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League along the way. He also netted a then-record 53 times for England.

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