Owen says De Bruyne is now better than Beckham

MICHAEL Owen insists Kevin de Bruyne has surpassed United legends Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.

De Bruyne has been the star performer in City’s pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple this season. He is favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year - and Pep Guardiola claims he can win the Ballon d’Or if he leads City to Champions League glory.

And former United striker Owen now ranks the Belgian ahead of Old Trafford’s legends as an all-round midfielder.

Comparing him with United’s greats, Owen said: “De Bruyne, Scholes, Giggs, Beckham would be my order.

“Beckham was a pure striker of the ball.

“He obviously mastered a great whip on his dead balls, but he had that long range fizz as well.

“Of course, he could see a pass, vision I’d say, and decent weight of pass. “A great, clean striker of the ball. “But I wouldn’t say he’d have the vision and ability of De Bruyne.”

Owen, who played alongside Beckham, Scholes and Giggs for club or country, told the Premier League’s official website: “Scholesy had great vision. Not only could he play a ball, but he had great vision.

“Giggs probably didn’t have the long range ping in his locker like a Beckham or a Scholes, but had unbelievable vision.

“Great vision.”