Michael Owen leaves out Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane in all-time Premier League XI

Michael Owen has named his all-time Premier League XI – and it doesn't include Manchester United legends Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane.

Owen is a bonafide English top-flight legend, having plundered 150 goals in 326 league matches for clubs including Liverpool, United, Newcastle and Stoke City. He played against – and alongside – some pretty legendary players in his time, giving him an expert insight into what is required to feature in an all-time Premier League XI.

In an interview with Premier League productions, the BT Sport pundit picked his side, leaving out the likes of Rooney, Keane, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Mohamed Salah.

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Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel

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United legend Peter Schmeichel features in nearly every Premier League greatest XI. And it's no different for Owen, who commented on the great Dane's physical prowess and presence in a side that hoovered up trophy after trophy in the 1990s.

"Peter Schmeichel for me," Owen said. "He backs it up with trophies. He was involved in the greatest team of that generation. He had presence, size, he was commanding. He drove that team forward. I think he’s a standout."

Defenders: Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole

Chelsea and United enjoyed an enduring rivalry inthe early to mid-2000s, and Owen recognised that in his defensive unit. With two players from the Red Devils and two from the Blues, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole remain four of the finest defenders ever to grace the Premier League.

Owen described Neville as "underestimated," Ferdinand as a "total Rolls Royce" and Terry as a "great leader," with a mention for his incredible "longevity." He had no doubts about Cole at left-back either, saying: "I don’t think there are any questions about the left back at all."

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Paul Scholes

Owen had innumerable options to fill the midfield positions, but the former Liverpool favourite went with a three of Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira and Paul Scholes. Unsurprisingly, his old Reds team-mate Gerrard was the first name on his teamsheet.

"The first name that went in, Steven Gerrard," Owen said. "He went in straight away. He had absolutely everything. He’s too big, too strong, too fast, amazing in the air, amazing tackler, amazing shooter of the ball. Scored goals, assists, passing was perfection. What can’t Steven Gerrard do? Big names, you want him next to you. Honestly, just the best."

The BT Sport pundit had a more difficult time selecting United legend Scholes and Arsenal icon Vieira – he included the pair at the expense of stellar names like Lampard, Yaya Toure and Roy Keane. Speaking about Scholes, Owen said: What a magician," before adding: "I was toing and froing there’s Lampard, there’s Toure, there’s Roy Keane. If De Bruyne keeps going he’s going to have to muscle in there somewhere."

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer

The Premier League has had its fair share of iconic forwards. From Harry Kane to Rooney and Didier Drogba to Eric Cantona, there are any number of top-flight legends that Owen could have included. But he went with Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer – a trio who have scored more than 500 times in the Premier League.

"I had to get Ronaldo in," Owen remarked. "He’s one of the greatest players ever. Full stop." He gave a glowing review of Shearer's top-flight career, too, saying: "The highest scorer in the Premier League. An absolute monster of a centre forward."

But he saved the greatest praise for Henry, adding: "The best player, in my opinion, that’s graced the Premier League. Thierry Henry."

And what of his old Red Devils team-mate Rooney? United's record goalscorer and the second highest goalscorer in Premier League history didn't make it into Owen's side, but the 42-year-old had nothing but kind words about the current DC United manager.

"Very, very difficult to leave out Wayne Rooney," he admitted.

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