Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admits growing up dreaming to be Liverpool forward Michael Owen.

While Rooney is a hero to fans of both the Everton and the Red Devils, it was a Owen - then playing for Everton's fierce cross-town rivals - who inspired him as a youngster.

"I went back to my old school a couple weeks ago and it was really nice to go back to see some of the teachers who still work there who used to teach me when I was at the school..

"To see all the children was a very good feeling and it was something I was very proud to do..

"But obviously when you're playing football at school, I used to run about and pretend I was Michael Owen."