Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to hat-trick hero Michael Owen following Manchester United's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany last night.

Needing a point to secure top spot in Champions League Group B, United flattened their hosts even though they had 14 senior players missing.

The result means Ferguson's men will avoid many of Europe's biggest names, including Real Madrid, in the first knockout round as well as playing the second leg at home.

And for that they have Owen to thank.

The former Liverpool frontman has not made quite the impression many people expected when he arrived from Newcastle in the summer.

But the 29-year-old has now taken his tally to seven and Ferguson said: "It was a fantastic performance. Michael's finishing and positional play were superb.

"I made the point some weeks ago that his training performances have improved steadily. I have had no worries about him.

"Obviously in some games recently we have only played with one striker and Wayne Rooney has been it. Tonight we used a different system.

"The evidence of a player is always on the football field and Michael has given us that this evening. He has proved his worth and I am delighted with his performance."

Ferguson could have added Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher to his eulogy.

Pressed into emergency service as defenders in a three-man rearguard that also included Patrice Evra, the pair stood firm in the face of severe Wolfsburg pressure.

Ferguson admitted it was crucial for United to strike first, which is exactly what they did just before the break when Owen headed home Nani's left wing cross.

Edin Dzeko's powerful header brought Wolfsburg level before the hour mark but somehow United clung on.

And when Gabriel Obertan weaved his way past two Wolfsburg defenders and provided Owen with a tap-in with a pinpoint low cross, the Red Devils had achieved their mission.

Owen's third was a solo effort and gave United only their third win in 10 outings on German soil, which in itself was confirmation of a fine achievement not taking into account so many injuries.

Ferguson does expect strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney to be fit for Saturday's encounter with Aston Villa along with Ryan Giggs, the only member of the 14 to be rested.

Crucially, Nemanja Vidic has recovered from the flu virus that kept him at home.

"Our defence will be Fletcher, Carrick, Vidic and Evra," confirmed Ferguson, his statement suggesting that Wes Brown will not have recovered from a hamstring injury as he had hoped.

"If Wolfsburg had gone in front it would have made it very difficult for us," said Ferguson.

"In that instance I do not know whether we would have persisted with the system we used.

"I just felt it was the best way to try and keep them out because Wolfsburg are a good attacking team.

"I felt we would get chances on the counter-attack and thankfully that is what happened."