Manchester United duo Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher have both been full of praise for team-mate Michael Owen and are tipping him for a World Cup berth after his hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg.

Owen's clinical treble sealed top spot for United in Group B of the UEFA Champions League, and his team-mates reckon the confidence the goals have given him will enable him to push for a place in Fabio Capello's England squad.

Owen now has seven for the season since his shock summer arrival at Old Trafford, and while Carrick insists the 29-year-old has nothing to prove, he could not deny that a hat-trick in Europe has put his doubters firmly in their place.

"Scoring a hat-trick away from home in the Champions League doesn't happen so often but it is just what he is all about," the midfielder told the DailyTelegraph.

"It was a great achievement. We always knew he could do it. He has been doing it all his career.

"Hopefully now he can get on a roll and he will continue to score many important goals for us over the next few weeks."

Quizzed on whether he thought Owen would finally return to the England fold, Carrick told The Sun:

"It's not my decision, but you can only go on how many important goals Michael scores. I don't think he's proven anything this week that we didn't know already."

Meanwhile, midfield partner Fletcher was equally complimentary about Owen's display, and added that having such an assured finisher in the squad, whether or not he starts on the bench, will always be a luxury for any side.

"I thought Michael was fantastic. His goals were all different finishes. If you have got Michael Owen in your team, whether it is off the bench or starting, you are going to get goals.

"Most times he has come off the bench and made a lot of impact but this will be great for his confidence, scoring three goals in the Champions League. That's what he came for."