Owen hat-trick sinks Wolfsburg

Michael Owen grabbed a hat-trick as Manchester United overcame the absence of 14 players to record a 3-1 win over German champions Wolfsburg.

The victory, which came despite Edin Dzeko's 56th minute header, was a record 15th away game unbeaten in the Champions League and only United's third in 10 attempts on German soil.

More importantly, it confirms a seeding in the knockout round draw a week on Friday which in itself does not guarantee easier opposition but at least ensured Old Trafford will host a second leg rather than a first.

An already complicated qualification picture had become even more murky following confirmation earlier in the day that two CSKA Moscow players had tested positive for banned substances following their meeting with United at Old Trafford last month.

As it left the Russians facing expulsion at a UEFA disciplinary hearing on December 17, it raised the possibility of United having to appeal for their top-spot status, or Wolfsburg begging to maintain interest in the competition until the day before the last round of 16 draw. Sir Alex Ferguson knew the best way of avoiding such anxiety was to win.

A scoreless opening period would have been well received by Ferguson. Owen's goal made it a perfect opening 45 minutes. The former Liverpool star has probably not had the impact hoped for when he joined United in the summer and his hopes of going to the World Cup next summer appear to have receded to non-existent.

But Owen remains a master at finding space. And when Nani drifted over a cross from the left 60 seconds before the break, he had evaded the home defence for long enough to give him time to steer his header into the far corner.

Dzeko was then astute enough to get between Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra, and when the cross arrived perfectly in the centre of the six-yard box, the Bosnian striker rose unchallenged to send a textbook header flying past Kuszczak.

But some sturdy defending kept Wolfsburg at bay and when substitute Gabriel Obertan glided into the home box and drilled a cross to the far post, Owen was waiting to tap home.

The qualification picture was suddenly, for United at any rate, much clearer. Owen's third, when he streaked through after Wolfsburg had wasted their final chance, merely added a notable footnote.