Owen baffled by dodgy ratings

Michael Owen vented his frustration after scoring in Manchester United's Carling Cup fourth-round win at Barnsley on Tuesday night.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised the former England hitman after his second-half individual goal at Oakwell sealed a quarter-final spot.

Ferguson said: "It was a fantastic goal, he had such quick feet, it was a marvellous finish."

However, former Newcastle striker Owen remains irritated by what is expected of him.

"A start and a goal, you can't ask for more than that, " he said. "It is how people judge me unfortunately.

"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."