Source: Daily_Mail
Owen just has to wait for his chance, says Man United boss Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that he has spelled out to Michael Owen the challenges and difficulties the striker faces as he strives to be a success at Old Trafford.
The frustrated forward has made United's first XI only once so far and he is expected to be overlooked again when their Champions League campaign kicks off on Tuesday night against Besiktas.
Owen has been warned that he faces a lengthy wait to break into the United team, although his chances will improve the longer the season goes on.
'He has not been involved much and I explained that to him,' said Ferguson. 'The season has not really started. Because of the internationals we are not really playing Saturday-Wednesday.
'So Owen doesn't come into the equation because we are trying to get a blend of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney. Owen will play plenty of games, just maybe not early in the season.
'Rooney has started well, that's the first thing to say. We need a couple of players to get us more than 20 goals as our goal ratio last season was very poor. We only scored 68 league goals. It was an unusual one, but Wayne has five league goals already this campaign and that's terrific.'
The peace yesterday of a plush hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus was as far removed as possible from the clamour of the White Hart Lane dug-out on a Barclays Premier League afternoon.
But it was clear that Ferguson felt his English title-holders had made a quiet but significant early-season point in depriving Tottenham of their unbeaten record on Saturday.
Asked if United's 3-1 win showed how difficult it will be for Tottenham and Manchester City to break into the top four, Ferguson made another point. He said: 'The only thing it tells you is how hard it will be to be No 1. It will be really hard to win the league.
'It was a test at Tottenham. Some guy beforehand said it was the worst United team in years. That was a beauty. The worst in years. Maybe it will be . . . maybe we will only win the league!'
Ferguson was so irked by suggestions on the radio that his team were weakening and that only four of them would make it into the Tottenham side that he used both points in his pre-match pep talk.
It seemed to work as United recovered from Jermain Defoe's early goal to put the home team in their place and remind people they do not now resemble a racehorse with a limp just because Cristiano Ronaldo has left.
Tonight in Turkey, Ferguson faces different challenges and will certainly pick a different side. Sunday's derby against City has to be taken into account.
Nevertheless, it would appear that after the disappointment of an early defeat at Burnley, last season's beaten Champions League finalists are ready to find a steady stride. 'You have to respect this competition,' added Ferguson. 'We can't afford to not qualify (for the knockout stage). We have to pick the right team.
'We won't take chances. The difficult thing about this group is the travel. It's a long way to Turkey and Moscow. We go to Germany for the last game so we have to make sure we're in a good position.
'If we keep our heads, we should qualify. When we get to the later stages we can start to think about getting to the final in Madrid and the material is there (to win it). If we win it, it will not be the team that win it, it will be the squad.
'It's not easy to win it, as we found out (against Barcelona). One mistake in a game like that and you're crucified. Remember that. One mistake. Dead.'
Tonight against Besiktas, Ferguson is expected to recall Gary Neville at right back and add solidity out wide by finding a spot for Ji-sung Park, who yesterday agreed a new contract keeping him at Old Trafford until 2012.
Ferguson still refuses to talk about last season's final defeat by Barca. He insists instead that lessons have been learned. His team's conquerors will start as favourites again, he thinks, but he has reservations about Real Madrid.
'Barcelona will be there,' said Ferguson. 'The English teams, too. I'm not sure about Madrid. They did OK against Deportivo at the weekend. Ronaldo was on the bench. That was interesting. But he came on and scored, so that's good.
'But it's difficult to say. Their coach (Manuel) Pellegrini had a defensive unit at Villarreal. They were difficult to break down. If he brings that to Madrid it will be interesting. Then there is the issue of who he plays up front. Raul is difficult to leave out, given his standing. Kaka won't be left out, that's for sure.'
Having lost Ronaldo to Real in the summer, Ferguson's interest in their progress is understandable. In his heart, though, he believes he has a better side. The best side. As always.
