In front of England coach Fabio Capello, who names his squad to face Holland next week on Saturday evening, Owen squandered four excellent chances to find the target.

While it could be argued merely getting in position to score was a plus, whether Capello will be as easily won over remains to be seen.

However, Ferguson was delighted with the striker's effort.

"It would have been nice for Michael to score - he deserved one," said Ferguson.

"He probably should have had four. He showed marvellous movement at times and when he took that great pass from Wayne Rooney, he put the ball over the keeper but just past the post."

It was all United did have to complain about after a deserved triumph, in which another Old Trafford new-boy Antonio Valencia earned special praise from his manager.

"It was a very exciting performance," said Ferguson.

"It was a real winger's effort. He showed great speed, power and balance.

"Coming to our club he has immediately taken on the challenge and we are very pleased with what we have seen from him so far."

With Owen struggling to find the target, Rooney stepped into the breach, guiding home Valencia's cross seven minutes into the second period.

The Ecuador wide man also provided Tom Cleverley with the chance to mark his first United appearance in pre-season with a goal.

Cleverley is one of a clutch of United youngsters eager to make an impression in the game but knowing their immediate future lies elsewhere as Ferguson looks to expose them to more competitive football.

The Basingstoke-born midfielder, who is 20 next week, spent part of last term on loan with Leicester, and Ferguson admits he is not sure if another spell away from Old Trafford beckons.

"We don't really know what to do with Tom," he said.

"A lot of clubs have been in for him, including one or two in the Premier League.

"Putting him out on loan is something we are looking at because these lads do need experience."

Belgian full-back Ritchie De Laet falls into the same category despite an impressive performance at right-back.

Ferguson confirmed John O'Shea will probably fill the slot on Sunday when United complete their pre-season preparations against Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Neither Nemanja Vidic nor Wes Brown will be available for the showpiece as they struggle to combat ankle and thigh problems respectively, although Ferguson still thinks both men have an outside chance of being involved when his side begin the defence of their Premier League title against Birmingham on August 16.