Referee had double vision over Da Silva, claim United

(Getty)

It's an easy mistake to make but nonetheless Manchester United have submitted a claim of mistaken identity to the Football Association after Fabio da Silva was booked by referee Chris Foy against Barnsley in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

Instead the offender – for a challenge on Jamal Campbell-Ryce – was his twin brother Rafael. The FA have been approached by United and the submission will be heard on Tuesday by a regulatory commission.

The holders finished the game with 10 men after Foy sent off Gary Neville for clattering into Adam Hammill but United secured a place in the quarter-finals of the competition thanks to a 2-0 victory, with Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen scoring the goals.

Mike Phelan said yesterday how pleased he and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are with Owen since his move from Newcastle. The United assistant manager believes Owen's finishing power has not diminished and his goal against Barnsley was a prime example of the striker's art. "Michael is always looking and always on the move," he said. "He was quick to take the shot. He got it out of his feet quickly and caught the keeper by surprise. That is the quality of Michael Owen."