Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, has admitted that he will be happy to sit on the bench for as long as Wayne Rooney keeps up his good performances.

Rooney has been arguably in the best form of his left so far in the Premier League. He has a healthy return of goals and has taken up the role of being the most important player at the club since the departure of some Portuguese bloke to Real Madrid in the summer.

Owen insists that he is not getting cold feet at his prospects of making a last bid to get into the England World Cup squad for the summer. He says that for as long as Rooney keeps playing well then he cannot complain about not getting into the team.

Owen said: “Unfortunately for me, yes, because it means I get less time, but he’s fantastic. He is as he comes across — a local scally really that’s come good. He’s a cracking lad and a cracking player. A lot of people relate to him, the way he plays. That’s why he’s so popular — the England fans sing his name, the United fans sing his name.”

“He’s been absolutely fantastic, his finishing is unbelievable, and his general play — if he continues this, he will be one of the world’s best.”

“It’s been a long time since I was in the England squad. You never give up but it’s probably a long shot in racing terms. It’s been great, whenever I’m called upon, I’m fit and ready. Of course you want to play a bit more but I’ve had some cracking times already at United.”

Many criticised Owen when he decided to make the move to United, saying that he was taking the easy way out as opposed to trying to break into the starting line up of a smaller team and nail down his place.

However, you cannot really blame him for snapping the hand off of Sir Alex Ferguson when the Scot enquired about his services. One thing Owen does have is plenty of experience, which at times is something United have not had.

Owen is still a very good goal scorer as well and warrants a place in the team. United team members have said that the former Liverpool man looks deadly when they play in training and that when he is asked to do a job he is straining to get off of the leash.

How long Rooney can keep his current run of form going is unknown. Owen will be ready to step in and take his chance when it is given to him. His reaction when he scored the winner against Manchester City at Old Trafford proves he is still playing with the energy and enthusiasm of a little boy.

Rooney and Owen have not played that much together so far at United but there could be a point in the near future when they do. Owen will have to learn to adapt to Rooney’s game if he wants to play football more regularly.