Alex Ferguson urges Manchester United fans to back Michael Owen gamble

Sir Alex Ferguson told Manchester United fans to set aside their hostility towards everything Liverpool and welcome Michael Owen into their fold.

Ex-Anfield striker Owen scored twice to take his tally to four goals in four games for new club United as they ended their tour of the Far East with an emphatic win.

Some fans did not consider Owen worthy of United's iconic No.7 shirt, worn by Old Trafford heroes like George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

But after Owen continued his impressive start to his United career, Fergie said the fans will forget any lingering resentment about his Liverpool past if he can carry on scoring.

"I gave Michael the No.7 jersey that's been worn by some highprofile players and we have one of those in him," said Fergie.

"I'm not concerned with what supporters think. The important thing is to give it to someone confident to carry it and he is the natural one to get it."

With only a handful of United fans having made the gruelling trip to the Far East, the true test of Owen's acceptance will come at Old Trafford on August 5 in a friendly with Valencia.

Yet shock and dismay from United fans at Owen's signing, which came against a backdrop of uncertainty about his effectiveness, has surely been eased with his Far East displays.

The opposition may not have been of the highest standard, but Owen proved his predator's instincts remain intact, even if he does not possess the blistering pace he once had.

All four of his goals in the Far East came inside the penalty area, three from inside the poacher's habitat - the six-yard box - something United have lacked since Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"Michael's contribution in overall play is definitely suited to us," said Fergie. "He's very clever in the last third and knows when to run and when to hold runs.

"That, linked with the experience he gives in that position, will be good for us. Given his ability and understanding of play around the last third, he will be getting goals."

Owen and Wayne Rooney were not on the pitch at the same time at any stage in the Far East, despite interest in seeing the former England strike partners play together at club level.

But Fergie does have plans to pair Owen and Rooney together in attack for at least one of United's back-to-back games in this week's Audi Cup event in Munich.

"Things are looking good for us up front," said Fergie. "We have Owen, the expectation on Wayne Rooney, the experience of Dimitar Berbatov and young Federico Macheda."

United, who flew to Germany straight after last night's mauling of Hangzhou, play Boca Juniors on Wednesday before taking on Bayern Munich or AC Milan the following day.

Fergie's men were in upbeat mood when they left the Far East, boosted by the most impressive performance of their pre-season build-up.

Owen opened the scoring after 23 minutes, poking the ball in from a Nani cross. Berbatov scored United's second with a decisive volley from an acute angle.

Zoran Tosic added a third with a sweeping left-foot shot before Owen dispatched a superb volley following a sublime flick-on from Berbatov.

Fergie shuffled his personnel after the break to give minutes to as many players as possible, as United continued their remorseless demolition job.

Nani made it 5-0 after linking up well with Berbatov, before Ryan Giggs plundered a 17-minute hat-trick to make the scoreline humiliating for United's hosts.

Hangzhou scored two late consolation goals, but not before Anderson hit a post - 74 games for United and he has yet to score - and Patrice Evra missed an open goal.

But United head to Germany in high spirits and Fergie added: "I think it was a very good performance.

"Maybe you can't judge it because of the opposition, but some of our forward play and penetration was firstclass.

"The speed of the play at times was really good.

"That's an indication that we are starting to come to a pitch in terms of fitness and tempo."