No Owen rift: Rooney

Wayne Rooney has dismissed talk of a rift with England strike partner Michael Owen.

Amid reports the Manchester United star has amassed a £700,000 (€1m) gambling debt, there have been suggestions Rooney is furious with Owen for letting him get sucked so heavily into the betting scene.

But a spokesmen for Rooney, and his management company Proactive Sports Management, has this afternoon flatly denied the claims.

“Any suggestion of a rift or a dispute between Wayne and Michael is completely without foundation as far as Wayne is concerned,” he said.

“Wayne and Michael remain the best of pals.”