Hard-luck Michael Owen is out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury in Manchester United's win over Aston Villa Sunday in the English League Cup. The injury ended his modest hopes of returning to the World Cup with England for a fourth time.

The injury is also a blow for Man. United, which is thin up front with only two experienced strikers, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, and faces a busy schedule in its bid to the win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was dismayed by the news of the extend of Owen's injury. "It's a terrible blow for the lad and disappointing for us, too," he said. "I think the heavy pitch at Wembley made some contribution to the injury, but it's really just bad luck." Ferguson added that Owen, who has a long history of injuries, would be back next season.