London, Mar 6(ANI): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has condemned the condition of the Wembley pitch for ending his striker Michael Owen's season and leaving Wayne Rooney injured.
Owen will have a hamstring operation on Monday after pulling up during last Sunday's Carling Cup final, while Rooney could miss Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves after playing two matches on the controversial surface in four days.
"I think Wembley's a difficult pitch. I thought a horse show had been on it by the time I went on it. It reminded me of a ploughed field," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.I couldn't believe the players had actually played on it," he added.
Ferguson said the Wembley pitch had been partly to blame for Owen's latest setback - ending any faint hopes he had of going to the World Cup.
"Owen is out for the rest of the season. It's more serious than we thought and he'll have an operation on Monday," Ferguson said.
"It's a terrible blow for the lad and disappointing for us, too. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley made some contribution to it, but it's really just bad luck," he added.
He further blamed Rooney for aggravating a knee problem by playing for England against Egypt on Wednesday rather than admitting he needed a rest.
"Playing on that pitch for almost an hour on Sunday and then almost the full 90 minutes on the Wednesday, it's far too much. So he's a doubt for the Wolves game," Ferguson said.
Earlier, after Sunday's Carling Cup final, Aston Villa midfielder James Milner had described the pitch as the worst playing surface he has encountered this season. (ANI)
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