Michael Owen Ruled Out Through World Cup: Has He Played His Last with Man U?

Michael Owen limped off the pitch during Manchester United's Carling Cup victory against Aston Villa.

Owen leveled the game at 1-1 before suffering another hamstring injury, which has ruled him out of the rest of United's season.

Any chance Owen had of going to South Africa with the English team has came to a crushing end.

Man United manager Alex Ferguson said the injury to Owen was "a terrible blow."

"I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it, but really it is just bad luck.

"It is more serious than we first thought."

Owen has had a career plagued with injury and has failed to sustain a constant level of fitness since leaving Liverpool in 2004.

Owen, who turned 30 last December, has played enough games for United that if they were to be crowned Champions he would be entitled to a medal.

But would it be the way Owen envisioned him winning a Premier League medal, and would he truly cherish it?

The main question that was surrounding Owen this year was if he would be able to fight his way into Fabio Capello's English side in time for the World Cup.

With his current setback, one must question if Sunday was the last time Owen will every score or play at Wembley?

Owen has suffered injury setbacks every year since his move to Madrid from Liverpool.

As good a striker as Owen is, are his days numbered?

At age 30, Owen's body will start to feel the effects of his injuries more, and the timeline to fitness will gradually start getting longer and longer.

Owen has managed nine goals in his 31 games as a United player, but he has failed to nail down a position in the United side.

Man United will lose nothing if they were to release Owen from their ranks, as he joined the team on a free transfer this summer.

It would be a crude move for United to release Owen while injured, but the harsh reality facing United is they have three young players—Danny Welbeck, Mame Diouf and Federico Macheda—all fighting for their chance in the spotlight. Owen has struggled to win a spot in the team this season when he was fit.

Owen played his game on the shoulder of the last defender and was lethal when he got into space. But can he really produce to the same effect after recovering from further injuries to his hamstring?

As far as his England career is concerned, he will be 32 when the next big tournament—The European Championship—rolls around. He has struggled to convince Capello of his worth since he took over the England post.

As sad as it is to see injuries end a player's career, Owen may just be another victim. As far as his England career is concerned, many have considered that dead already, and this recent injury is just a further nail in the coffin.

With regards to his United career, he is costing the Red Devils next to nothing. His services may be seen as a hindrance to the development of the United's younger prospect, and he may have played his last game for them.