Michael Owen has been told he will not be first-choice striker at Manchester United, though he will have a chance to stake a late claim for a place in England's World Cup squad.

Fabio Capello, the Three Lions manager, repeated his assertion this week that Owen will only be considered for an international recall if he is playing regular first-team football.

Although he has been involved on the peripheries of the Red Devils squad since joining on a Bosman transfer from Newcastle in the summer, Owen is not a regular starter.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has said that will not change anytime soon but he is likely to be involved more as fixtures pile up for the Premier League champions.

"Michael hasn't been involved, and I've explained that to him. The season hasn't really started - and because of the internationals we haven't been playing Saturday and Wednesday, as we normally would,” he said.

"So Michael doesn't really come into the equation, because we're still trying to get the blend between Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.”