Sir Alex Ferguson confessed he has not been able to give Michael Owen the games he deserves after the former England man's brace against Leeds on Tuesday.
Owen scored twice, with club legend Ryan Giggs adding another in first-half stoppage time as Manchester United romped to a 3-0 Carling Cup third-round win at Elland Road.
It means Owen has now netted an incredible 11 goals from his last 12 starts.
That the run dates back to October 2009 just shows how difficult the 31-year-old has found it to break through at United, a task that is only made harder following the return of youngster Danny Welbeck from a hamstring injury.
"Michael Owen's finishing was fantastic," said Ferguson.
"His goal ratio is unbelievable. We are very pleased with him. Unfortunately for us he has had one or two injuries. But with me having Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez he is not getting the games he deserves and that is unfortunate."
Ferguson found a novel way of using Bulgarian Berbatov at the end of tonight's game.
The Bulgarian striker ended up filling it at centre-back alongside Michael Carrick after 19-year-old debutant Ezekiel Fryers limped off near the end, to leave the visitors to coast home with 10-men.
Ferguson also revealed that whilst Hernandez will return to training after emerging from the tackle by Ashley Cole on Sunday with only minor bruising, the Mexican will not be considered for the weekend trip to Stoke city, when United should be fielding a more recognizable line-up.
"It was great for the young players to understand the club and for us to see their temperament," said Ferguson, who introduced Paul Pogba and Larnell Cole, in addition to Welbeck, once victory was assured.
"The young lads did really well. It was a great experience for them.
"Young Fryers coped very well. The atmosphere at Elland Road is hostile and was not fazed by it."
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