Michael Owen has told Wayne Rooney that he must "get his head down" if he is to stay at Manchester United beyond the summer.

England international Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been thrown into doubt by many media outlets after manager Sir Alex Ferguson opted to drop him from the starting lineup for last night's Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

Despite admitting that Rooney's exclusion will be a "big worry", former United striker Owen has insisted that the 27-year-old's future is in his own hands.

"It's got to be a big worry for Rooney. It's the biggest game of the season and the manager has shuffled his pack and not included him," Owen told talkSPORT.

"A couple of years ago, if Wayne wasn't the first choice striker, he would have played him in left midfield or in-behind the striker.

"For him not to start is a real kick in the teeth. Obviously Wayne has got to get his head down now and start recapturing his best form."

Rooney joined United from his boyhood club Everton in 2004.