Owen is better than Beckham: Best

Former Manchester United great George Best rates Michael Owen more highly than David Beckham and says the England striker will prove that Real Madrid have made a mistake in selling him to Newcastle United.

"For me Owen is better than Beckham," Best told Spanish sports daily AS on Wednesday. "Owen is great whereas Beckham is just good.

"Owen is direct, quick and is a natural goalscorer. Beckham has his own strong points, but what makes a player different is the threat he poses to the opposition area and that is where Owen beats Beckham.

"Of course Beckham knows how to play and he's a good footballer, but his importance as a media star is greater than his importance as a player. His club will make a lot of money from him, though, and that's a good reason to have him."

The former Northern Ireland international said that Real had failed to get the best out of Owen while he was at the club.

"I don't understand why Owen was on the bench last season and I don't think I could understand it even if [Real Madrid coach] Vanderlei Luxemburgo told me himself.

"Coaches sometimes do things that no one understands, not even the players themselves."

Best said he is delighted that Owen would now get a chance to show his skills after his 15 million pound ($26.77 million) move to Newcastle.

"I'm pleased for Michael because he will be able to play and show how good he is. I'm also happy because he will now be better prepared for the World Cup in 2006. It was best for him to leave if he was just going to spend the season on the bench.

"He will get a great reception in England. He's young, good and has a great chance of proving that Real got it wrong."