22 METROSPORT Wednesday, December 9, 2009 D Treble from Owen puts misfits on the summit MICHAEL OWENS hat-trick led a makeshift Manchester United side to victory at the Volkswagen Arena. The win over Wolfsburg, achieved in the absence 15 senior players, en- sured Sir Alex Fergusons men top Group B and eliminated the German champions from the competition. It also extends Uniteds unbeaten runawayfromhomeintheChampions League to 15 games. Uniteds team featured a makeshift back three of Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher. And Owens opener came against the run of play, the striker heading home Nanis left-wing cross a minute before half-time. Wolfsburg had dominated until then, with Zvjezdan Misimovic and Andrea Barzagli spurning their best chances. But the hosts were level in the 56th minute when Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko a rumoured target for United headed home Marcel Schaefers left-wing cross for his fourth goal in five Champions League games. With CSKA Moscow winning at Besiktas, Wolfsburg knew they needed to win to reach the last 16 and Tomasz Kuszczak was forced into good saves to deny Grafite and Dzeko. Owen, though, put United ahead again seven minutes from time, stabbing home a Gabriel Obertan cross. Wolfsburg almost grabbed an equaliser in the dying moments but after a goalmouth scramble, Scholes broke from defence before Owen ran clear and finished cooly to complete his first hat-trick in four years. But there may be a lifeline for Wolfsburg as CSKA, who pipped them for second in the group with a 2-1 win at Besiktas, could be thrown out of the competition after two of their players Alexei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich returned positive drugs tests following last months 3-3 draw at Manchester United. WOLFSBURG 1 MANCHESTER UTD 3 Head start: Michael Owen opens his account last night Picture: Getty Wolfsburg: Benaglio, Schafer, Barzagli, Ricardo Costa, Riether, Josue, Gentner, Hasebe (Ziani 72), Misimovic, Dzeko, Grafite (Dejagah 72). Goal: Dzeko 56. Man Utd: Kuszczak, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Evra, Gibson, Scholes, Nani (Valencia 74), Welbeck (Obertan 74), Anderson, Owen. Goals: Owen 44, 83, 90. Attendance: 29,000. Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland). Giggs afforded God-like status Sir Alex Ferguson claims ryan Giggs is treated like God in the Manchester United dressing room. i will always remember the presentation the players made to him after the Champions league final in Moscow last year, said the United boss. Afterwards they started to sing the ryan Giggs song. You could see the warmth he generates. He is an example and an adviser to young players. They go to him rather than rely on an agent. All the right moves: Cruise trains u ArSENE WENGEr is ready to send midfielder Jack Wilshere out on loan, but only to the right club. Wilshere became Arsenals youngest player in both Europe and the Premier League last season. However, Wenger has been cautious in his use of the midfielder this term, with the 17-year-old set to make just his sixth appearance at Olympiacos tonight. Celtic and Middlesbrough are both interested and Wenger said: There is a chance for a loan. Id prefer it to be in the Premier League but the top of the Championship could be interesting. Tom Cruise set to star as Top Guns are grounded ArSenAl could face mission impossible in Athens tonight, after Arsene Wenger picked his youngest ever Champions league squad for the tie with Olympiacos including a teenage full-back named Tom Cruise. With their place in the knockout stages already secure as Group H winners, Wenger will not risk the fitness of any of his top Gunners ahead of Sundays Premier league encounter at liverpool. Captain Cesc Fabregas, defenders William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen and russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin all remained in london, while Czech republic midfielder Tomas rosicky is out with a groin problem. As a result, the Arsenal squad contains ten teenagers and has an average age of 20. Theo Walcott was one familiar face on the plane after recovering from a hamstring problem. less well-known, though, are reserves captain Kyle Bartley, 18-year-olds Craig eastmond, luke Ayling and Cruise the left- back who has yet to make a first- team appearance of any form. Wenger said: i am happy that we absolutely do not have to win this game. All of the players i have left have little knocks and need a rest, so i travel with a very young team. However, we have Walcott back from injury, and [Alex] Song, who was suspended against Stoke, so we should have a good mixture between youth and experience. it is a risk, because you know that if you do not win the game, you will be criticised. That is a gamble i take because i believe these players will do well. SOCCER CHAMpiOns leAGUe Transfer talk FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson likened Bobby Zamora to Emile Heskey at the weekend, so it should be no surprise to hear Aston Villa are pondering a move for the striker. Turkish giants Fenerbahce are reportedly preparing a 5million bid for John Carew, who used to play for their Istanbul rivals Besiktas, and Villa see Zamora as an adequate replacement. The Fulham forward has had problems with fans at Craven Cottage and Birmingham are also interested, as are Portsmouth if they can raise the cash. Dazzling form of Bobby impresses Aston Villa WEsT Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is planning a move for former Inter Milan striker Adriano, who is available from Brazilian champions Flamengo. WiGAn are targeting Angolan defender Francisco Zuela, who plays with FC Kuban in Russia. ooWanted man: Zamora ToTTEnHAM will move for Wayne Bridge if Manchester City capture Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm. City have been linked with a 12million bid for the Germany defender as Bridge has yet to consistently deliver his best following his move from Chelsea to Eastlands. Meanwhile, spurs striker Robbie Keane has been linked with a loan move to Celtic. Lahm is the source of Bridge speculation Beattie makes peace with Stoke boss STOKe striker James Beattie has apologised to manager Tony Pulis after an alleged dressing-room bust-up, it is understood. The pair had a heated exchange following the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal at the emirates Stadium on Saturday. The row is believed to have been about the players Christmas party, which was due to be held in london over the weekend. it is claimed Beattie was upset at Pulis insistence his players report for training on Monday. Training went ahead as scheduled with 31-year-old Beattie only going to the gym as he has an ongoing knee problem. A team meeting was subsequently called between players and management, during which the striker apparently said sorry to Pulis for the way he reacted. The Stoke boss is also reported to have apologised to his players for his conduct. Beattie is now expected to be in the Potters squad to face Wigan on Saturday. He has not started a Premier league match since the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth last month. His seven goals in 16 games after signing from Sheffield United in January were instrumental in helping Stoke finish 12th in their debut top-flight campaign. However, this term Beattie has scored just twice in 15 games. sorry state: Beattie pREMiER LEAGUE By CHRis stOCKs index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html