Owen confident of increased United playing time

MICHAEL OWEN expects to be given plenty of chances to impress for Manchester United over the forthcoming months, after opening his account for the season with two goals in the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe on Wednesday night.

The former England striker netted twice in the second-half at Glanford Park as the defending champions progressed to the fourth round with a 5-2 win.

Prior to the game, Owen had managed only 46 minutes of action since the Community Shield in August, less than Mexican youngster Javier Hernandez, while it was Federico Macheda to whom boss Alex Ferguson turned with United level at 2-2 against Liverpool last weekend.