Saturday saw Manchester United squeeze past Southampton in an intriguing game. Unlike most cup ties Steve Carlton Jersey where there is a large gulf of cla s between the teams, it was a tactical game of fine margins, for which credit must go to Southampton. Ultimatly it was the superior finishing abilities of Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez that separated the sides.Hernandez is in good form, and is now Uniteds second top goalscorer with 11 goals. If Wayne Rooneys poor goalscoring run continues pre sure will build for the young Mexican to be given a regular chance from the start. Although it was thought at the start of the season that Hernandez may play wide to gain experience it is clear that he is at his best playing through the center. He po se ses fantastic acceleration, a great first touch and a natural goalscoring ability. He is very reminiscent of a younger version of the man he partnered at St Marys.Michael Owen was once the master of running onto a well Andrew Miller Jersey timed ball over the top and finishing. It is a skill that Hernandez is improving with each game he plays, and in Paul Scholes he has the perfect man to provide him with ammunition. Like Owen, Hernandez seems to be able to sniff out a chance, and as he did earlier in the season Enos Slaughter Jersey against Stoke, improvise in what ever way nece sary to score.Saturdays game at St Marys provided a rare opportunity to see poachers past and present working in tandem. It was strange seeing two men, one with very bright future, and one facing a very uncertain one, who both have such similar footballing characteristics playing together. Owen must look at the explosive acceleration Hernandez po se ses with envy, and remember how he once had the footballing world at his feet.Its hard not to feel sorry for Michael Owen. He looked sharp at St Marys, and his goal was cla sic opportunistic Owen. But nonethele s without the blistering pace which his younger teammate po se s it is hard to see much of a future for him at the highest level.Owens difficulty is that throughout his career he has required another striker to play off. This makes him le s attractive for middle to lower Premier League sides who may only play one up front or find having a player who only contributes only goals and little a luxury in the battlefield that is the lower reaches of the Premier League. For top sides there are players available who match Owens goal return and Bob Gibson Jersey manage to contribute more.There are signs that the 31 year old may be attempting a bit of reinvention; he played much of Saturdays game in a more withdrawn role off Hernandez. Orlando Cepeda Jersey Teaching old dogs new tricks is hard, but it may be something he has to do if he is to prolong his Premier League future when his contract runs out this summer.Meanwhile, Hernandez should take every opportunity he can to learn from Owen whilst he is still at Manchester United. If he can avoid the injuries that destroyed Owens career at the highest level, the young Mexican has the potential to match, and maybe surpa s, the not inconsiderable achievements of the ex-England striker.