Owen resigned to question marks

Michael Owen accepts that his scoring record will remain under intense scrutiny until the day he retires.

The 29-year-old striker got off the mark for Manchester United in the 5-0 victory against Wigan at the DW Stadium - the perfect answer to the critics who claimed he had little to offer the champions.

Owen said: "I've missed a couple since the season started and, as ever, everyone is quick to write you off. It was as if I hadn't scored for a couple of years."

He continued to tell MUTV: "That's something I've had to deal with for 10-odd years now and I don't think that will change until I hang up my boots.

"It was certainly a great feeling to score. I'd got a few in pre-season but there's nothing quite like doing it in a competitive game.

"I probably scored the hardest chance I've had. I had two chances at Burnley and one against Birmingham, but this was the fourth real opportunity I've had."