Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has spoken bullishly of his decision to award new signing Michael Owen the club's iconic number 7 shirt, worn most recently by Cristiano Ronaldo and before him David Beckham, asserting that it was perfectly logical for the veteran goalscorer to wear the number.

"The criteria for the number seven is quite clear," the Scotsman told reporters at a press conference in China today. "It is a jersey that has been worn by some high-profile players and we have that in Michael Owen.

"You have to choose someone you are confident can carry that on and his profile in the last decade has been outstanding. I am not concerned about what the supporters think - it is important to give it to someone who is confident and comfortable and he was a natural choice."

Ferguson also hailed the qualities the player had shown in becoming the club's top scorer in pre-season.

"[He's] very clever in the last third of the field. He knows when to run and when to hold his runs, and I think, not only that, but the experience he gives in that position is vital to us," he added.

"Things are looking good for us on that side, and I must say I'm very, very pleased with it. Obviously it's not the acid test, but, given his abilities and understanding of play round about the last third of the field I think he'll get us goals."

United demolished Chinese outfit Greentown Hangzhou 8-2 in a friendly today, with Owen bagging a brace, as he begins to find some serious goalscoring form ahead of next month's Premier League kick-off.