‘You’re better than that’ – Michael Owen criticised for pushing Wayne Rooney argument so far

Michael Owen made a mistake in pushing an online argument involving him and Wayne Rooney – he’s better than that. That’s the view of ex-Chelsea left-back Scott Minto, who has had his say on the former Liverpool striker weighing in on who was better between him and Rooney at the age of 17. Owen and Rooney played together for both club and countryGetty Images - Getty Rooney and Owen both burst through as teenagers at Everton and Liverpool respectively. Owen made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old for the Reds and went on to win the Ballon d’Or at the age of just 22. A huge move to Real Madrid followed in 2004 before injuries struck throughout the rest of his career. But he was still regarded as a world class talent after he lit up the 1998 World Cup. Rooney also broke through as a teenager before making a huge-money move to Manchester United, where he went on to become their all-time top scorer. He ended his career with 208 goals in the Premier League and is widely recognised as one of England’s greatest talents. However, when they were both 17, it would be hard to call who was better. What did Michael Owen say about himself and Wayne Rooney? And in response to a BBC Match of the Day post on X, Owen said: “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 nine. “In our opening seven seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever. Owen as a teenager at Liverpool was unstoppableGetty Images - Getty Everton had a star on their hands in RooneyGetty Images - Getty “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…” But Minto, who played against both players during his time at West Ham, believes there was no need for Owen to say anything. What did Scott Minto about the Owen vs Rooney debate? Speaking on the Saturday Session, he said: “Look, where do I go with this? Because I’ve got the utmost respect for Michael Owen. “I’ve said on several occasions – even recently when we’ve talked about Arsenal needing a goal scorer – I said, an example I use is played against Michael Owen. “We played really well at Anfield (2002/03 season), he had probably five touches of the ball, two of them went in the back of the net. “We’re on the coach on the way home thinking what the heck happened there, that’s what a world-class striker can do. “But why first of all, why are you getting involved Michael? Honestly, you don’t need to, you really don’t need to, you’re better than that. Owen and Rooney were part of the Man United team that won the Premier League in 2011Getty - Contributor “Let everybody have their own arguments, you’ve got your decision made in your own mind and rightly so. “And Wayne Rooney will be thinking the opposite as well and it’s obviously – not just subjective – but a tribalistic thing. “I’m sure Liverpool fans are thinking one thing, United fans will think another.. “But look, what I would say is, in my personal opinion, that Michael Owen, while he was a true world-class goal scorer, I think Wayne Rooney’s one of the greatest players this country has ever produced.” Rooney vs Owen The different trajectories that Rooney and Owen ended up on are quite extraordinary. Rooney might never have won a Ballon d’Or, but he boasts a trophy collection a player could only dream of having. Owen and Rooney are in the top six for most England goals scored The England legend has five Premier League titles to his name and one Champions League, and even after the glory days, he continued to deliver for club and country. Rooney gradually dropped deeper as well and adapted his game. Meanwhile, Owen has one Premier League title to his name, which he won as a United player alongside Rooney. There were also unsuccessful spells at Newcastle United and Stoke City sandwiched between his time at Old Trafford,

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‘You’re better than that’ – Michael Owen criticised for pushing Wayne Rooney argument so far

Michael Owen made a mistake in pushing an online argument involving him and Wayne Rooney – he’s better than that.

That’s the view of ex-Chelsea left-back Scott Minto, who has had his say on the former Liverpool striker weighing in on who was better between him and Rooney at the age of 17.

Owen and Rooney played together for both club and country

Rooney and Owen both burst through as teenagers at Everton and Liverpool respectively.

Owen made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old for the Reds and went on to win the Ballon d’Or at the age of just 22.

A huge move to Real Madrid followed in 2004 before injuries struck throughout the rest of his career.

But he was still regarded as a world class talent after he lit up the 1998 World Cup.

Rooney also broke through as a teenager before making a huge-money move to Manchester United, where he went on to become their all-time top scorer.

He ended his career with 208 goals in the Premier League and is widely recognised as one of England’s greatest talents.

However, when they were both 17, it would be hard to call who was better.

What did Michael Owen say about himself and Wayne Rooney?

And in response to a BBC Match of the Day post on X, Owen said: “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 nine.

“In our opening seven seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.

Michael Owen of Liverpool celebrating after scoring a penalty goal. — Owen as a teenager at Liverpool was unstoppable

Wayne Rooney of Everton running with the ball during a soccer match. — Everton had a star on their hands in Rooney

“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…”

But Minto, who played against both players during his time at West Ham, believes there was no need for Owen to say anything.

What did Scott Minto about the Owen vs Rooney debate?

Speaking on the Saturday Session, he said: “Look, where do I go with this? Because I’ve got the utmost respect for Michael Owen.

“I’ve said on several occasions – even recently when we’ve talked about Arsenal needing a goal scorer – I said, an example I use is played against Michael Owen.

“We played really well at Anfield (2002/03 season), he had probably five touches of the ball, two of them went in the back of the net.

“We’re on the coach on the way home thinking what the heck happened there, that’s what a world-class striker can do.

“But why first of all, why are you getting involved Michael? Honestly, you don’t need to, you really don’t need to, you’re better than that.

Owen and Rooney were part of the Man United team that won the Premier League in 2011

“Let everybody have their own arguments, you’ve got your decision made in your own mind and rightly so.

“And Wayne Rooney will be thinking the opposite as well and it’s obviously – not just subjective – but a tribalistic thing.

“I’m sure Liverpool fans are thinking one thing, United fans will think another..

“But look, what I would say is, in my personal opinion, that Michael Owen, while he was a true world-class goal scorer, I think Wayne Rooney’s one of the greatest players this country has ever produced.”

Rooney vs Owen

The different trajectories that Rooney and Owen ended up on are quite extraordinary.

Rooney might never have won a Ballon d’Or, but he boasts a trophy collection a player could only dream of having.

Owen and Rooney are in the top six for most England goals scored

The England legend has five Premier League titles to his name and one Champions League, and even after the glory days, he continued to deliver for club and country.

Rooney gradually dropped deeper as well and adapted his game.

Meanwhile, Owen has one Premier League title to his name, which he won as a United player alongside Rooney.

There were also unsuccessful spells at Newcastle United and Stoke City sandwiched between his time at Old Trafford,