Foster upset being dropped at Man Utd

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster admits he's disappointed with being dropped earlier this season.

A blunder against Chelsea in the Community Shield was quickly forgotten. Less easy to dismiss were the mistakes he made in the Manchester derby, first in losing the ball to Carlos Tevez near his own box to gift the Blues their first leveller, then going down far too easily and effectively providing Craig Bellamy with a tap-in for City's third.

Michael Owen's stoppage time winner ensured United still won and it took another late goal, this time a deflected effort by Patrice Evra, to salvage a point for the Red Devils after Foster had been brushed aside in an aerial duel with Kenwyne Jones for Sunderland's second goal.

"I thought I started off well but then there was a period of two or three games where I made a few mistakes," he said.

"But they were the only ones I made really and I was disappointed to find myself out of the team."

It would take a brave man to confront United manager Sir Alex Ferguson about the situation and Foster has no intention of doing that just yet.

News in Brief Manchester United

A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.

Striker Michael Owen scored his third goal of the season in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley but remains bewildered by what some people expect of him. Owen found the target in the 59th minute of the 2-0 win with a clinical finish at Oakwell following a ball from Fabio. Danny Welbeck had earlier put United in the driving seat after five minutes when he headed home a corner from Anderson. "A start and a goal, you can't ask for more than that. It is how people judge me unfortunately," said Owen. "I started a game against Bolton and was pretty pleased and thought I played pretty well. Then I looked at the papers and was given a three or four. But in this game I played pretty average and scored a goal and I'll probably get seven out of 10. I think I deserved a five in this game and seven or eight from the Bolton game."

Ferguson: Man Utd's Owen can make World Cup squad

Although Ferguson believes Capello knows almost all of the men he wants alongside him in the battle for the world's biggest prize, the United chief insists Owen could still make it.

"There may be two or three places up for grabs," observed Ferguson. "Fabio maybe will have a number up to 25 in his mind. He will then have to eliminate from that to make 23.

"Michael Owen has a good chance because he is a striker and England don't have a tremendous number of them. The form of Carlton Cole will have encouraged him and Peter Crouch's goals don't do him any harm.

"Along with Wayne Rooney I think those three will go to South Africa, then it is a fight for one more."

He added: "Michael has to play more games.

"Maybe we shouldn't have played him against Wolfsburg. He felt his groin two days before, so we should have left it alone.

"He did train three days later but we know that part now and we wouldn't do it again."

Man Utd's Hargreaves: I can see light at end of tunnel

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves can see light at the end of the tunnel after returning to training this week.

The England international played his last match for the Red Devils in September 2008 and has since had two knee operations.

"It is difficult to say an exact date but I do feel I can see light at the end of the tunnel now," the 28-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

"Coming back to Manchester was a big step. Having people from United around me also makes me realise I am getting closer.

"I am coming back to have a massive effect and to play well and for us to win titles.

"It is not about getting back for one game or for one day, I want to come back and be back for another six or eight years.

"I have thought about playing again a lot. It is human nature to have doubts obviously.

"I had little moments but I never had one moment of major doubt that I'd be back."

Goal hero ! Michael Carrick was upset for Michael Owen.

Manchester United goal hero Michael Carrick was upset for Michael Owen after he broke down in yesterday's 2-1 win over Wolfsburg.

“It's not ideal for Michael but hopefully he won't be out for long and he'll be back scoring goals sooner rather than later,” said Carrick, whose team have now won eight matches in a row in all competitions after their defeat by Burnley in August.

“He's had some bad luck and it's not easy for him but I'm sure he'll be back playing well.”