Manchester United FC

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Owen praises team-mates

09 Dec 2009 - 08:58:44

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Michael Owen preferred to deflect the praise on to his Manchester United team-mates after scoring a hat-trick in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League victory at Wolfsburg, a result that ensured Sir Alex Ferguson's team finished top of Group B.

United had already qualified for the last 16 of the competition but their win against last term's Bundesliga champions ensured their German opponents would be playing in the Europa League in the new year.

Owen said after scoring his three goals: "Obviously I've scored a few hat-tricks in my time but it's nice to get one that caps off a great team display.

"Me getting the three goals will probably grab the headlines but I thought it was an excellent team performance tonight.

"I was playing a bit deeper than normal because, with us having so many players out, we had to protect our back three.

"Me and Danny (Welbeck) were dropping in and trying to pick up their central midfielders where possible, while hopefully getting into the Wolfsburg box when there were chances to do so.

"European football is a different type of football to the domestic game. If you get one chance you've got to stick it away and thankfully we nicked a goal just before half-time.

"It's great being top of the league so we play at home second (in the next round). I'm not going to lie, you want as weak a side as possible, you want to avoid the big boys."