Owen's United hopes dashed as Solskjaer returns

MICHAEL OWEN'S chances of joining Manchester United have receded even further following the shock news that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the brink of a first-team return.

Solskjaer, the popular Norwegian who scored the injury-time goal which won United the Champions League in 1999, has endured a miserable two seasons with injury.

The 32-year-old was not expected to be fit until October after being forced to have a second operation on the knee ligaments he damaged against Panathinaikos in September 2003.

The second bout of surgery forced him to miss the whole of last season, sparking fears he may have to quit.

However, in the aftermath of Wednesday night's 6-1 triumph over Royal Antwerp, Ferguson revealed Solskjaer is not too far away from a comeback and could even be available for selection when United head to Everton for their opening Barclays Premiership game on August 13.

"He is now back in training and, you never know, maybe he could be fit for the start of the season."

Although it is highly unlikely Solskjaer's fitness would be risked without a significant number of reserve games under his belt, his presence is further evidence of the striking strength Ferguson has at his disposal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to form with a hat-trick in the Antwerp win, and Wayne Rooney showed his class throughout United's pre-season programme. Solskjaer's presence as back-up - along with Louis Saha, Alan Smith and emerging talent Giuseppe Rossi - gives credence to the Red Devils officials who insist no bid for Owen is imminent.

The Real Madrid striker is rumoured to be desperate to return home after being shunted down to fifth choice front man at the Bernabeu, but so far none of England's Champions League entrants have given any indication of being interested in the 25-year-old, even at the knock-down price of £10 million (€14.38m).

Of significantly more interest to Ferguson just now is ensuring the preparations for next Tuesday's Champions League qualifier with Debrecen run smoothly.

When the draw was made, most pundits expected the Hungarians to provide little resistance in the first-leg at Old Trafford. However, that was before Debrecen recorded a stunning 5-0 away win at Hajduk Split on Wednesday night.

Ferguson will spend the weekend hoping the ankle injuries that saw both Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo limp off on Wednesday night are as insignificant as he initially suggested.