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Michael Owen continues to resent David Beckham for his infamous red card at the 1998 World Cup and insists his former teammate “let every England player down”.
Beckham was dismissed in the second half of the last 16 tie against Argentina after kicking out at Diego Simeone.
Despite holding on at 2-2 to take the tie to penalties, the Three Lions crashed out 4-3 on spot kicks, leaving Owen bitter, despite admitting the offence probably did not warrant a red card.
“His flick-out was so childish, it also seemed so much more unnecessary,” Owen writes in his new book Reboot serialised in the Mirror. ”People will say it was just a mistake, but my feeling is that, if you want to win World Cups, you can’t afford to make mistakes.
“All I can say is that, as I sit here now writing this book, knowing how lucky a player is to appear in one World Cup, never mind more than one, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that what David did that day hadn’t let every single one of that England team down.
Premier League's best prospectsShow all 20 1 /20Premier League's best prospects Premier League's best prospects Emile Smith Rowe (19) - Arsenal The winger made a prolific breakthrough into the first-team last season, scoring three goals in six games, before being ruled out with a groin injury. After spending six months at RB Leipzig last season, he has been promoted to the senior squad on a full-time basis.
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Premier League's best prospects Colin Odutayo (18) - Aston Villa The skilful Netherlands youth international impressed in the U18s Premier League last season, cutting in off the left-wing scoring 7 goals and adding a further four assists.
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Premier League's best prospects Lloyd Kelly (20) - Bournemouth Suffered a cruel injury blow soon after joining the Cherries from Bristol for £13m over the summer. The full-back has huge potential and will be hopeful of breaking into the starting eleven quickly.
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Premier League's best prospects Aaron Connolly (19) - Brighton The young Irish striker had a brilliant season for the U23s, ending the season with 16 goals in 18 appearances. Can hope to make his breakthrough in the
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Premier League's best prospects Josh Benson (19) - Burnley Joined after ending a two-year scholarship at Arsenal and was included in Burnley's pre-season tour of Portugal.
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Premier League's best prospects Reece James (19) - Chelsea Starring on loan at Wigan last season, the versatile full-back was named in the Championship team of the season and is pushing for a starting place after Davide Zappacosta's departure.
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Premier League's best prospects Tyrick Mitchell (19) - Crystal Palace The young full-back was included in the club's pre-season plans and has been compared to Aaron Wan-Bissaka by teammate Andros Townsend.
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Premier League's best prospects Lewis Gibson (19) - Everton The centre-back joined the Toffees from Newcastle for a fee that could ultimately rise to £6m and has immediately impressed with the club’s youth sides.
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Premier League's best prospects George Hirst (20) - Leicester The England youth international joined Leicester in the summer after one season with the club’s sister side OH Leuven in Belgium and featured in this summer's Toulon Tournament.
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Premier League's best prospects Ki-Jana Hoever (17) - Liverpool The Dutch centre-back was handed his debut in the FA Cup at just 16 years old and will expect to get more first-team minutes under Jurgen Klopp, who is an outspoken admirer of Virgil van Dijk’s mentee.
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Premier League's best prospects Ian Carlo Poveda (19) - Manchester City After spells at Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Brentford, City snapped up the England youth international, who made his debut in the League Cup win over Burton last season.
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Premier League's best prospects Brandon Williams (18) - Manchester United The highly touted left-back travelled with United’s Champions League squad after an impressive season with the U18s and is set to challenge Luke Shaw in years to come.
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Premier League's best prospects Matty Longstaff (19) - Newcastle His older brother Sean has stolen the plaudits thus far, but his younger brother is not far behind and was included on the club’s pre-season tour of China.
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Premier League's best prospects Stephen Mallon (20) - Sheffield United The Irishman impressed on loan in Australia last season before appearing in the Toulon Tournament.
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Premier League's best prospects Adam Idah (18) - Norwich The 18-year-old striker was awarded a new contract in the summer after scoring a goal every 170 minutes for the U23s last season before impressing for Ireland in the Toulon Tournament over the summer.
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Premier League's best prospects Jake Vokins (19) - Southampton The young full-back seems destined to make a push for first-team minutes and can challenge Ryan Bertrand after the Saints opted to sell Matt Targett.
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Premier League's best prospects Troy Parrott (17) - Tottenham The Irish striker starred during Spurs’ pre-season and has since returned to goalscoring form with the U23s. Mauricio Pochettino is a keen admirer and a debut is not far away.
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Premier League's best prospects Joao Pedro (17) - Watford The Brazilian prodigy has thrilled at Fluminese and will link up with Watford's senior squad in January once he has turned 18.
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Premier League's best prospects Amadou Diallo (16) - West Ham The prodigious winger is regarded as one of England’s best prospects and has soared through the academy age groups, attracting a wealth of suitors from across Europe.
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Premier League's best prospects Terence Taylor (18) - Wolves The defensive midfielder excited on the club's pre-season tour, having been called up to Wales' senior squad while still a 17-year-old.
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“Did he deserve the abuse he got from the press afterwards? Certainly not. What human being needs to see his or her effigy being burned? But David let us down, and I still hold some resentment about it today.”
The revelation follows Owen reigniting his feud with Alan Shearer and questioning the former Newcastle No 9’s commitment after being criticised for picking up £120,000 per week over an injury-hit four years at St. James’ Park.
Owen resents Beckham still to this day (Bongarts/Getty) “Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate,” Owen said in response.
“I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out.”
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