Owen World Cup dream is over

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed that the striker would miss the rest of the campaign after suffering the injury in the League Cup final victory over Aston Villa last Sunday.

Owen, who scored in the Wembley final, had admitted before the injury that he was a "long shot" to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

"It's a bad blow - he's out for the season," Ferguson said.

"Unfortunately it's more serious than we thought. He will be operated on on Monday morning.

"It's a terrible blow for the lad and is disappointing news for us too. He has never missed a training session all season."

Ferguson also claimed that the much-maligned Wembley pitch was partly to blame for Owen's injury.

"I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it, but really it is just bad luck," he said.

Owen added: "Unfortunately the specialist says I will miss the end of the season.

"I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments. I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition."

There was some good news for United, who take on Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, with long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves set to play in the reserves.

Hargreaves, who has been out of action since September 2008 with a series of knee problems, will take part in a reserve team encounter on Thursday.

"Owen Hargreaves has shown for the first time that he is almost ready to play," said Ferguson. "He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see, and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday."

With Chelsea playing Portsmouth in the Cup, United would go top of the Premier League with a victory at Wolves.

However, they might have to do it without Wayne Rooney, who has a minor knee injury.

Ferguson was upset that Rooney played most of England's match against Egypt on Wednesday and fears that the player's workload has taken its toll.

"We didn't speak to England to ensure he wouldn't play the full game, but there were some changes made and I thought Rooney would have been one of them, particularly as he went into the game with a small injury," said Ferguson.

"It is disappointing. When you are playing on that pitch for almost an hour on Sunday and then nearly a full game on Wednesday it's far too much. Now he is a doubt for Wolves."