SIR Alex Ferguson has admitted he should have used Michael Owen more often than he did this season.

Owen has been ruled out for the season, and almost certainly out of the World Cup, with the hamstring injury he picked up during Sunday’s Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Despite being part of the matchday squad for all but one game in United’s lengthy campaign, it was only Owen’s 11th start in all competitions, one of the major reasons why he was consistently overlooked by Fabio Capello.

While Ferguson can point to the brilliance of Wayne Rooney as the reason for Owen’s regular omissions, the Red Devils chief accepts he could have made more use of a player he snapped up on a free transfer last summer.

‘‘Michael has been such an important player for us and I know I have not used him as much as I should have,’’ said Ferguson. ‘‘That is a lot to do with Rooney’s form and our choice of playing one striker.

Michael has been a little bit unfortunate with that.

‘‘But we recognise he has made a great contribution.

‘‘He is a good professional who has been terrific in the dressing room.

‘‘It is the first time he has had a hamstring injury in four years as well, so it is a disappointment for the lad and a bad blow for us.’’ In the immediate aftermath of the final, after he had scored his ninth goal of the season to pull United level before pulling up chasing a ball into the box after half an hour, Owen expressed optimism that he would be available in a couple of weeks.

In the immediate aftermath of the final, after he had scored his ninth goal of the season to pull United level, Owen expressed optimism that he would be available in a couple of weeks.

But scans showed the tear to be far worse than the 30- year-old imagined.

With Danny Welbeck on loan at Preston and Federico Macheda only now ready to return to training after a recent calf problem, Mame Biram Diouf might find himself thrust into the spotlight sooner than expected.

It is a problem for Ferguson, who claims the stodgy Wembley pitch was part of the problem.

‘‘Michael will have an operation on Monday morning,’’ said Ferguson.

‘‘It is a terrible blow for the lad and disappointing news for us too.

‘‘He has never missed a training session all season.

‘‘The heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it but really it is just bad luck.’’ Owen stated at the weekend he expected to remain with the Red Devils for the final year of his contract.

His first season as a United player will be most notable for that memorable last-gasp winner against Manchester City.

‘‘I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments,’’ he said.