Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney has revealed Michael Owen feels too much was asked of him when he was breaking through at Liverpool.

Owen, 32, has just signed for Stoke City.

Rooney told the Manchester Evening News: "You talk about fitness in the book and last season I was talking to Michael Owen and he said how he was paying the price now for putting his body on the line so early at 17 at club and international level. Do you worry the same might happen to you, having been at the top level from the same age?

"Everyone is different. With Michael he has suffered a lot of hamstring and thigh muscle tears. It is difficult to get over them. Whereas I have been quite lucky with mine."