Rooney backs Owen to shine

WAYNE ROONEY is predicting Michael Owen’s move to Manchester United will give the England sharp–shooter a new lease of life.

Owen’s career appeared to be heading for the buffers until Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in with the offer of a two–year contract which could turn out to be one of the Scot’s masterstrokes.

Nothing too much will be read into Owen’s goal in the 3-2 defeat of a Malaysian Select XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. United faced the same opposition later today.

However, Rooney can sense his old international colleague is ready to explode again.

“Over the last couple of years Michael has had some criticism but it would have been difficult for any player to score in the Newcastle team he was in last season,” said Rooney.

“He looked really sharp in training. He is working very hard and you could see by the way all the lads celebrated with him how pleased they were for him when he scored.

“This move will give him a new lease of life.”