Owen: United eyeing vengeance

Owen Hargreaves admits revenge will be on United's mind going into this Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

The midfielder made his Reds debut against Manchester City in August, an event that was tainted as the Blues staged an unlikely smash and grab victory at Eastlands. That defeat still rankles those in red, and Hargreaves admits it will provide added inspiration during this weekend's return match.

"We will definitely remember that they beat us in the last one," Owen is quoted as saying in the Manchester Evening News. "We played very well and were just unfortunate not to win the game.

"I still don't know how we didn't win. We will remember that and go into the game with confidence."

And, in the week Manchester commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash, Hargreaves says the disaster will be a similar source of motivation to succeed.

"The most important thing is the Munich crash and I think everybody will have that at the front of their thoughts. It will be an emotional day and very special to be a part of," he said.

Having overcome long-term injury problems, Hargreaves and Paul Scholes have given Sir Alex Ferguson a welcome selection headache in the centre of midfield.

Michael Carrick is edging towards his best form week by week, while Brazilian youngster Anderson has been a revelation in his first season at the club. Hargreaves is unfazed, however, about competition for places.

"There is competition everywhere," he said. "If you want to play with the best then there is competition everywhere. It's good to have that - but the most important thing is that we are successful as a group.

"Whether I get to play is not down to me. I don't get paid to make those decisions, just to play and that's what I'll do."