When England jetted off to Portugal, Wayne Rooney was considered a bonus. He had no experience of tournament football and had never faced a team as good as France. He was supposed to dedicate himself to serving Michael Owen.Three matches later, the roles have been reversed. Owen has become Rooney’s faithful servant.Owen set up the first of his partner’s goals against Switzerland and his breakaway second against Croatia. It’s the ultimate irony, because Rooney’s second goal was reminiscent of Owen’s goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup — a swift break and a clinical finish. The style and speed that was to be associated with him ever since.Owen, currently four England games without a goal, has rarely touched the form of WC 1998. A dodgy hamstring has cut down on his speed and affected his confidence. Can Rooney spark his mentor back into the electrifying form?
