Michael Owen Believes Manchester United's Quality Helped Them Overcome Hard Working Southampton In FA Cup

Fitness wasn't an issue, says former England man.
Michael Owen believes Manchester United's longevity was the reason they were able to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup against Southampton.

The striker was on target with a typically poached effort to level the match, before Chicharito bagged the winner in the 75th minute.

"Well, obviously they played well, they're flying high in their division, and always in FA Cups - no matter what standard you're playing against - it's always really tough for sort of 45 minutes or an hour," the former Liverpool man said.

"Inevitably, you know, the better quality - and it's not fitness, obviously they've got to run more to keep up with us in many ways and then they tire - and it's often the way that the better teams come good in the last half hour."

Owen went on to talk about how experiences earlier on this year in the Carling Cup helped United overcome their League One opponents.

"Well we weren't pleased obviously, but we played in the Carling Cup earlier in the year against Scunthorpe away and it was similar there," he added.

"They went a goal ahead and it was only in the sort of last half hour when we ran away with it.

"And it is quite similar, as I say, against these lower league teams in that they're very difficult for the first hour and then you tend to get on top after that."