Fergie calls for Owen patience

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Michael Owen to be patient in his quest for a starting spot at Manchester United.

Ferguson caused a major summer shock when he snapped Owen up on a free transfer but the former Liverpool man ended up top scorer on the Red Devils' Far East tour.

Since then, though, opportunities to impress have dried up.

Owen has started only one Barclays Premier League game – the defeat at Burnley – and scored one goal, in the demolition of Wigan at the DW Stadium three days later.

It seems unlikely he will play in Istanbul tonight either as United open their bid to reach a third successive Champions League final when they take on Besiktas.

"Michael hasn't been involved, and I've explained that to him," said Ferguson.




City striker Emmanuel Adebayor will discover today whether or not he is to be charged by the Football Association.



Disciplinary chiefs have until 6pm tonight to charge the 25–year–old Togo international if they deem his actions in Saturday's 4–2 Barclays Premier League victory over former club Arsenal warrant it.

The FA yesterday collated the evidence against Adebayor, who stands accused of stamping on former team–mate Robin van Persie and allegedly inciting the travelling fans by running the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of them.