• Champions League

Owen 'no chance' of facing Valencia

ESPN staff
December 6, 2010
Michael Owen trained with his Manchester United team-mates on Monday, but will not play with them on Tuesday © PA Photos
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Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled Michael Owen out of Manchester United's Champions League match against Valencia on Tuesday.

Owen returned to training last week after another period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, which the United boss admits he was partly responsible for.

Ferguson feels he rushed Owen back too quickly for the Premier League trip to Sunderland at the beginning of October, which proved to be the last of the 30-year-old's seven appearances this season.

And despite reports suggesting Owen would play some part against Valencia, Ferguson is anxious to make sure he does not rush the former England striker back again as United look ahead to one of the most congested periods of the season.

"Michael has no chance of being involved tomorrow,'' Ferguson said on Monday. "He returned to training in the middle of last week but we are going to make sure he gets two more weeks behind him. We don't want to take any risks because it was probably our fault he was injured last time.''

Ferguson reported no fresh injuries ahead of Tuesday's game, and that he intends to field his strongest team as United look to collect the point required to confirm top spot in Group C.

Midfielder Paul Scholes and defender Patrice Evra trained separately and were watched by Ferguson as they went through their paces.

Central defender Jonny Evans was absent, although there was no immediate indication as to the Northern Ireland defender's problem.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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