SAF feels for 'fantastic' Owen

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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Belhadj eyes Premier League return

Former Portsmouth winger Nadir Belhadj has set his sights on a move back to the Premier League.

The versatile Algerian can play at left-back or on the wing, spent two years at Fratton Park from 2008 to 2010.

He left Pompey to join Al-Sadd in Qatar following their relegation to the Championship and remains under contract for nearly two more years.

However, he was rumored with a return to England this summer and admits that is something he would like to happen in the future.

"My contract here expires in June 2013," Belhadj, who has been linked with a move to Queens Park Rangers, told skysports.com.

"For me I have unfinished business with the Premier League. I loved my time at Portsmouth.

"Yes, we got relegated but we played in the final of an FA Cup and we almost won that cup. We missed a penalty before Chelsea scored the winning goal.

"I have a contract here as I said so if a club want me they have to agree a fee with Al-Sadd and I will talk with them, but all players love the Premier League, I am no different."

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Delio Rossi rejects Inter rumours

Former Palermo boss Delio Rossi has rejected rumours linking him with a move to Italian giants Inter Milan.

Reports in Italy have suggested Inter have sounded out Rossi for the manager's job at the San Siro should they decide to sack Gian Piero Gasperini.

Gasperini's position has been the subject of severe speculation following a poor start to the season with Inter yet to win in Serie A this term and also losing their opening game in the UEFA Champions League at home to Trabzonspor.

Rossi is currently out of work and insists he has not been contacted by Inter about replacing Gasperini at the helm.

"I was never contacted by Inter," Rossi told RMC. "I am not working out of choice, as the right proposal has not arrived to entice me.

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Edy Reja to stay on with Lazio

Edy Reja has revealed he will stay on as Serie A side Lazio boss despite offering his resignation.

Reja offered his resignation on Monday after being booed by some fans during the home defeat to Genoa on Sunday.

Lazio chief Claudio Lotito rejected the offer and convinced Reja to remain in charge at the Stadio Olimpico.

Reja has confirmed the issue has been resolved and he is focused on getting back to winning ways.

"I had a meeting with the squad and the president. After some clarifications, we have decided to continue my adventure at Lazio," said Reja.

"The discomfort is not in working here. The picture is good in Rome, it is just the frame that is rotten.

"I must not only win, I must win big, and this can not be done."     

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Van Basten will consider offer: Agent

Former Netherlands manager Marco Van Basten has been considered to take over Bundesliga side Hamburg after Michael Oenning was dismissed.

Rodolfo Cardoso has been appointed as care-taker manager meanwhile, but the club's board have been searching for an experienced manager to turn the club's miserable start to the season around.

Van Basten has been mentioned in connection to the job vacancy and his agent, Perry Overeem, has confirmed that the legendary attacker is willing to consider the offer.

He told Die Welt: "We will look at every serious offer. Hamburg should contact us, we will definitely listen to what they have to say."

Van Basten led the Dutch football team to a quarter-final finish in the Euro 2008 before moving on to manage Ajax Amsterdam. He left management in 2009 and is currently a analyst with Sports1 and has indicated an interest in returning to management since.

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