Manchester United FC: Michael Owen is proving he is still a class act, Jonny Evans

Oct 29 2009 by Our Correspondent, Daily Post

Manchester United FC: MANCHESTER United defender Jonny Evans believes Michael Owen is proving at Old Trafford he remains a class act.

Owen, a surprise signing from Newcastle in the summer, scored his third goal of the season in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley at Oakwell.

It was a clinical finish as he foxed goalkeeper Luke Steele after he made the most of a delightful ball from Fabio.

Whether Owen, who started on the bench in the defeat by Liverpool, can win a recall to the England squad remains to be seen.

But Evans has no doubts at all about his team-mate’s quality and said: “Every time Michael comes on he gets into really good positions.

“He changed the game a bit for us on Sunday. It was the first time we really looked like getting in behind Liverpool.

“It was good for him against Barnsley to get another goal. It was a great finish from him. He made it look easy by passing the ball into the corner.”

Evans is also predicting a bright future for 18-year-old striker Danny Welbeck, who opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

Welbeck came off in the second half and is having a scan on the knee injury he suffered.

Evans said: “Danny is improving all the time and learning from the first team lads.

“He is a fantastic talent and can go all the way. He is so hard to play against. He has great skill as well.”

Despite his night ending on a sour note it could not dampen Welbeck’s mood of elation at securing a place in the last eight of the competition.

Welbeck scored the winner against Wolves in the third round and was part of the United side that lifted the trophy last season when they defeated Tottenham.

He said: “It is great to get further in the cups. I’m already looking forward to the quarter-finals. We’ll certainly enjoy it and do our best.

“We controlled the game against Barnsley in the second half. The youngsters did well and the experienced players in the team helped us massively.”

United’s rising stars are also versatile as Rafael proved against the Championship side.

The Brazilian was switched from full-back to a central midfield role and looked comfortable in that position.

However, his polished performance came as no surprise to Old Trafford manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: “Darron Gibson was injured so we didn’t have many options. Rafael trains with the first team all the time, he’s mobile and quick enough with good feet.”

Ferguson added: “Playing away from home in a cup tie is a completely different experience from playing at Old Trafford.

“Last year we had some good home draws and it was good experience for the lads.”

Meanwhile, Barnsley director Don Rowing has grave concerns for the future safety of the club’s catering staff and stewards following the violence which marred the match.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed a total of seven fans were arrested at Oakwell and the Football Association have launched their own investigation after visiting fans rampaged through the North Stand concourse.

Eight catering staff were trapped inside a food kiosk and had to barricade themselves in a store room to escape the violence as fans broke in, stealing money and food and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Rowing insists Barnsley now have no alternative other than to install grills in all visiting bar areas to protect their staff.

He said: “Last night I was disappointed, today I’m very angry.

“We have pre-match briefings with the police, stewards and clubs before every match and look closely at every risk assessment.

“But last night’s incident came out of the blue. How do you legislate for the behaviour of idiots?

“What concerns me is not so much the damage, but the way these thugs treated our young staff. Manchester United in general have very well-behaved fans and set good examples, but last night there was a minority group hell-bent on causing trouble because they could not have what they wanted.

“We did not allow the sale of alcohol at half-time and they couldn’t accept our decision.

“The real Man Utd fans have apologised to our staff and it happens so rarely, but we now have to address the situation.

“The machinery can be replaced, but with staff it’s more difficult to do that. We need to offer them more protection and will be putting grills up.

“It’s a shame in our society that we are controlled by small groups and we have no option but to protect our staff in future behind iron bars.”