Fergie hails Owen effect as United ease through

ALEX FERGUSON last night paid tribute to Michael Owen after the striker’s double helped Manchester United to an easy 3-0 Carling Cup win over Leeds.

Owen scored the opening two goals — the first a scuffed low finish, the second far more emphatic — and Ryan Giggs’ deflected effort rounded off the victory before half-time.

Ferguson said: “His (Owen’s) ratio (of goals) to games is unbelievable, and his second goal was fantastic.