Michael Owen (40/1 in Totesport’s top Premier League goalscorer market) feels the pundits have been harsh in their assessment of his performances this season and is hoping to prove the doubters wrong.

The England striker was handed a rare start in Manchester United’s Carling Cup win at Barnsley, scoring the second goal in United’s 2-0 success at Oakwell.

Many media pundits have questioned whether the former Real Madrid frontman is still the same player after a number of injuries in recent years.

But Owen feels some of the criticism has been unfair but admits that people will judge him on the number of goals he scores for United (9/2 to lift the Carling Cup this season).

The 29-year-old said: “A start and a goal, you can’t ask for more than that. It is how people judge me unfortunately. I started a game against Bolton thought I played pretty well, then I looked at the papers and was given a three or four.”