Wayne Rooney admits Owen Hargreaves was faster than Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United – but why would Rio Ferdinand have a problem with that?

The speed demon that was Cristiano Ronaldo was electric at Manchester United, but many fans forget the pace a young Wayne Rooney also possessed.

But back in the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, there was a player not entirely noted for his speed in Owen Hargreaves.

Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

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That said, he was extremely quick before the injuries took their toll.

Speaking to the BBC, Rooney was asked who was quicker out of himself and Ronaldo, to which Rooney gave a clear answer.

He said: “We’ve done tests over 30 yards, I think it was. And I was topping in that. Owen Hargreaves was actually second.

“Yeah, Owen was quicker than people think. So yeah, I was faster than that. But there are all different aspects in football.”

Signed by United for £17m, Hargreaves’ career was obviously blighted by numerous injuries, and his legacy has been somewhat tarnished by that.

That said, it’s not just Rooney who knows about the pace Hargreaves possessed.

Rio Ferdinand may have something to...