MY BALL ... Michael Owen finds space to get in
a header at goal last night
England hopeful Owen, 29, was handed only his second
United start as reward for Sunday's dramatic derby strike against
Manchester City. And he played a key role in a brilliantly worked
68th-minute goal for Welbeck.
Forward Welbeck, 18, was congratulated by Owen who
would have been proud of the clinical finish. It was a big relief
to United after they played an hour with 10 men following Fabio's
red card for a challenge that was more like a rugby tackle.
Owen's contribution this time was more low key than on
Sunday but he still earned a pat on the back from boss Alex
Ferguson.
Fergie said: "I told you right from the start Michael
would be a winner for United. "It was a great pass, the angle he
gave Danny made it easy for him. The return pass he gave was
tremendous. "It was a fantastic goal with some great passing. I
think one goal was always going to win it. Then we showed our
resilience."
Ferguson chose a completely different side to the one
who edged out neighbours City 4-3 at the weekend. But United's
players were still slow to get going and their old boy Sylvan
Ebanks-Blake went close early on with a 20-yard shot.
Kevin Foley forced a smart save from Tomasz Kuszczak
who was determined to make the most of his chance with Ben Foster
rested.
United had offered little going forward and looked to
be facing a real uphill task when Fabio was given his marching
orders. Brazilian Fabio, 19, was left floundering and eventually
pulled the Wolves man to the ground when he was through. It left
ref Peter Walton with no choice but to send him off. From the
resulting free-kick Kuszczak made a spectacular stop to deny David
Jones.
Boss Mick McCarthy said: "Strangely I'd have preferred
the game to stay 11 v 11. "United have done it before against 10
men and are adept at getting back and then picking teams
off."
Ferguson added: "Prior to the sending off they were a
handful. But after that we seemed better organised. "We showed a
good spirit, it was difficult to play for a full hour with only
10."
McCarthy admitted: "Even with 10 men, they have shown
us what it's all about. The problem is our belief in beating a team
with 10 men."
Owen's big chance to score again came just before the
break. He peeled off his man but a header from Gary Neville's cross
was too tame.
Back at the other end, an horrendous slice by full-back
Neville gave Jones a gift of a chance but he could not keep his
effort down and it sailed high over the bar.
Wolves looked likeliest to nick the tie early in the
second half but Christophe Berra wasted a golden headed
chance.
Wes Brown then made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to
deny Karl Henry after Ebanks-Blake had flicked it on. It proved a
turning point as United then enjoyed their best spell.
WEL, I NEVER ... Danny Welbeck slots past
Marcus Hahnemann to win it for Man United
Welbeck picked it up on the edge of the box and
exchanged a quick-fire one-two with Owen before beating Hahnemann
with a superb finish into the far corner.
The local-born forward - who burst on to the scene 12
months ago in this competition - looks well worth keeping an eye
on.
Fergie thinks he could go to the World Cup finals with
England this summer - it may be a long shot, but do not rule it
out.
Kuszczak 7
Fabio 4
Neville 6
Brown 7
Evans 6
Carrick 6
Gibson 6
STAR MAN Welbeck 8 (King 5)
Nani 7
Owen 7 (Valencia 5)
Macheda 5 (De Laet 6)
Subs not used: Amos, Ferdinand, Tosic, Eikrem.
Sent off: Fabio.
Hahnemann 6
Foley 6
Berra 5
Craddock 5
Elokobi 5
Kightly 7 (Keogh 5)
Castillo 5 (Milijas 5)
Henry 6
David Jones 7
Ebanks-Blake 6 (Doyle 6)
Maierhofer 6
Subs not used: Ikeme, Halford, Zubar, Hill.
