From the Telegraph:
"Joining United is a brilliant move for Michael and for England. We have got a brilliant chance of reaching the World Cup finals and I think for our country's chances they will need Owen. Wayne Rooney is a great player and I'm not knocking him in any way but we haven't got a player you could guarantee would score you goals.
"When you look back at the big tournaments we have always had one big goalscorer whether it be Gary Lineker or Alan Shearer. They can score the goals at the right time and without being disrespectful to Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch, who are good players in their own right, they are not natural goalscorers which is how you would describe Michael.
"I don't mean this to sound bad but that's all he does. He scores goals. That is so important."