World Cup 2010: Michael Owen admits Wayne Rooney could extend England exile

By Rory Smith Published: 7:00AM GMT twenty-three February 2010

Too good: Wayne Rooney celebrates with United team-mate Michael Owen at the finish of the Carling Cup semi-final second leg Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Rooney has scored twenty-five times this season, together with twenty-one in the Premier League, a total that the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, believes is not usually covenant to the striker"s ever-increasing category and majority but additionally bears out his preference to muster him as an unmitigated striker.

Owen is fulsome in his regard of his team-mate notwithstanding him being the initial plant of Rooney"s metamorphosis. When he finished his argumentative free send from Newcastle to Old Trafford, Owen did so in the idea he might be equates to to win at the behind of England physical education instructor Fabio Capello"s confidence.

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Such is Rooney"s form, though, that the former Liverpool player has proposed only 10 games for United and the awaiting of a lapse to the ubiquitous overlay stays as faraway as ever.

"Wayne has been illusory this season," Owen told Radio Five Live. "He has altered his purpose in this last year or so, given he has regularly played outward the box as a second striker with alternative goalscorers in the team.

"When I was personification with him with England, I would be the one scoring majority of the goals and he would be in behind. But right away we have lost the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and someone had to take that on. Wayne"s finishing has been unbelievable, as well as his ubiquitous play. If he continues similar to this, he will be one of the world"s best.

"A lot of people describe to him, the approach he plays. That is given he is so popular, the England fans sing his name, the United fans sing his name. He is as he comes across, a internal scally come good. He is a enormous kid and a enormous player.

"That he is personification so well is hapless for me, given it equates to I get less [playing time]. Of march I wish to fool around a bit more, but I have had a little enormous times already at United. I have played in something similar to twenty-five games, and at your convenience I am called on I am fit and ready.

"You never give up but me removing at the behind of in the England patrol is, in racing terms, a prolonged shot. It has been a prolonged time given I was called up."

Owen"s regard is echoed by Carlton Cole, one of his rivals for Capello"s attentions and in line to declare Rooney"s form first-hand for West Ham in the Premier League strife tonight. "He is a really widespread forward," pronounced the striker. "He has only had a baby as well and that has helped him mature."

Cole"s own dusk will be done harder by the lapse from cessation and damage of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, whilst Anderson is in line to begin for United for the initial time given January.